Image Source: Shuttershock
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has rolled back Biden-era rules aimed at "forever chemicals," officially known as PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances), in U.S. drinking water. The agency will withdraw and reconsider the standards for four individual PFAS chemicals, including GenX, while keeping tight standards on the two most prevalent types, PFOA and PFOS. But the deadline for utilities to comply with these standards has been postponed two years, to 2031 from 2029.
PFAS are man-made chemicals that have been extensively applied to products from nonstick pots to firefighting foam. They resist decomposition in the environment and in the human body and have come to be known as "forever chemicals." PFAS exposure has also been associated with severe health impacts, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, reproductive problems, childhood developmental delay, and hormonal disruption.
The original rules, finalized last year, marked the first-ever federal drinking water limits for PFAS and were expected to reduce exposure for millions of Americans. The new rollback means limits on three PFAS types, including GenX-prevalent in North Carolina-and a mixture of several PFAS, will be scrapped and reconsidered. The EPA says the changes are intended to provide "practical flexibility" for water utilities and manufacturers, giving them more time to comply with the complex regulations.
Health and environmental campaign groups have strongly condemned the action, arguing it would expose communities to toxic chemicals for longer periods. Experts point out that scientific proof of harm caused by PFAS has only increased, and the delay in enforcement is considered a victory for chemical manufacturers over public health.
The EPA has also pushed back the deadline for manufacturers and importers to submit PFAS data to their reports. Under the new schedule, businesses have until as far as April 2027, depending on the size and reporting category of the company, to report mandatory information regarding the manufacture, use, and disposal of PFAS.
The move by the EPA follows continued court and political disputes over how tough the federal government should be on regulating these toxic pollutants. The agency maintains that it is still dedicated to protecting Americans from the most hazardous PFAS, while critics say the weakening or delaying of any step undermines the provision of safe drinking water for everybody.
Sources: The Washington Post, CBS News, ABC News, Environmental Energy Brief, APA Engineering
Advertisement
Advertisement
