The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has unveiled a strategy to tackle the issue of “forever chemicals” linked to a range of health problems, including cancer and liver damage. These substances, commonly found in non-stick and water-resistant products, have raised concerns among health and environmental advocates about the potential effectiveness of the EPA’s new approach in safeguarding drinking water.
The EPA announced intentions to launch additional studies on these chemicals and to formulate new guidelines aimed at reducing pollution from manufacturers. Nonetheless, this announcement, made on Monday, occurs at a time when the agency, influenced by previous leadership under Donald Trump, is working to dismantle numerous environmental protections. Notably, the agency has yet to confirm whether it will enforce current limits on the presence of these chemicals in drinking water or uphold a rule from the Biden administration that designates the two most prevalent PFAS compounds as hazardous for cleanup under federal law.
Mary Grant, campaign director at Food & Water Watch, expressed skepticism about the initiative, stating, “It just feels like it offered a lot of words without saying anything. It reminds me so much of the previous Trump administration, where they had PFAS roadmap after PFAS roadmap without actually taking any steps to really move the needle.”
“A lot of words without saying anything.”
These persistent chemicals, classified as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are known for their longevity in both the environment and human bodies. For years, they have been used in various products, including nonstick cookware, food packaging, firefighting foams, fabric protectors, and certain personal care items. Despite facing numerous lawsuits, some companies have started to phase out the use of PFAS. Nevertheless, these chemicals have contaminated approximately 45 percent of the nation’s tap water and can be found in the bloodstream of a significant portion of the American population.
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin highlighted the agency’s commitment to addressing PFAS contamination in a press release, stating, “I have long been concerned about PFAS and the efforts to help states and communities dealing with legacy contamination in their backyards. This is just the start of the work we will do on PFAS to ensure Americans have the cleanest air, land, and water.”
The agency plans to create new regulations concerning water pollution specifically related to PFAS manufacturers and metal finishing operations, where these chemicals are used in processes such as electroplating. Additionally, the EPA intends to appoint a lead figure to manage PFAS initiatives and to enhance research on detecting and eliminating these dangerous substances.
In the previous year, the Biden administration established the nation’s inaugural legally enforceable limits on PFAS in drinking water, marking a significant step after years of advocacy, particularly during Donald Trump’s tenure, when many felt the government was neglecting the issue.
Industry associations have challenged the national drinking water standards by filing lawsuits, claiming that the EPA has overreached its authority. Similarly, trade groups have also contested the Biden administration’s hazardous waste designation for PFAS, asserting that the EPA has misinterpreted the Superfund law.
The EPA’s recent announcement did not address these lawsuits but mentioned its goal to tackle significant compliance challenges linked to drinking water regulations for these chemicals. In response to inquiries from Technology News about defending the PFAS regulations in court, EPA spokesperson Molly Vaseliou indicated that the agency is currently reviewing the drinking water rule and the associated litigation before deciding on its next steps. The EPA is facing deadlines in May to determine its position on defending both the drinking water and hazardous waste regulations after previously requesting extensions in these cases.
