County leaders across the state are calling for stricter rules on water contaminants.

The state Association of Counties is urging state and federal health and environmental agencies to set higher standards to guard against PFOA and PFOS in public drinking water.

Both chemicals have been linked to cancer, thyroid disease, and developmental defects, among other potentially deadly conditions.

PFOA has contaminated water in Hoosick Falls, Petersburgh and elsewhere, while PFOS has contaminated areas near Newburgh and on Long Island.

The state has already spent millions cleaning up the contamination.