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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced plans to tackle “forever chemicals,” substances extensively used in non-stick and waterproof products, which are now known to be associated with serious health risks, including cancer and reproductive issues. However, the limited details provided by the EPA have raised concerns among health and environmental advocates about the potential effectiveness of the agency’s strategy in safeguarding drinking water.
The agency intends to initiate further studies of these chemicals and establish new guidelines aimed at reducing pollution from manufacturing sources. Nonetheless, the Monday announcement comes against a backdrop of the EPA’s recent attempts under the Trump administration to reverse numerous environmental protections. Additionally, the agency is yet to clarify its stance on enforcing current limits on forever chemicals in drinking water, nor has it indicated whether it will uphold a Biden-era regulation that designates the two most prevalent forms of PFAS as hazardous substances under the Superfund law to prioritize cleanup efforts.
Critics have expressed skepticism regarding the EPA’s renewed focus. “It just feels like it offered a lot of words without saying anything,” remarked Mary Grant, a campaign director at Food & Water Watch. “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.”
Highlighting ongoing concerns, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin stated in a press release, “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 EPA has pledged to formulate new water pollution regulations for industries that produce PFAS and engage in metal finishing. These substances often play a role in the electroplating processes used to apply protective “chrome” finishes to metal items. The agency also plans to “designate an agency lead” for PFAS initiatives, aimed at improving methods for detection and destruction of these chemicals.
In response to ongoing regulatory efforts, industry groups have initiated legal action against the national drinking water standards, contending that the EPA exceeded its authority in implementing them. Trade organizations have similarly challenged the Biden administration’s classification of PFAS waste as hazardous, arguing that the EPA misinterpreted the Superfund legislation.
The announcement did not reference either of these lawsuits, only stating that the agency will “address the most significant compliance challenges” associated with national drinking water standards for forever chemicals. When queried by The Verge about its plans to defend these PFAS regulations in court, EPA spokesperson Molly Vaseliou indicated via email that “New EPA leadership is in the process of reviewing the PFAS drinking water rule, and the issues presented in the litigation surrounding it, and developing its position on how to proceed.” The agency is facing May deadlines to determine whether to uphold the drinking water and hazardous waste regulations, having requested extensions in both cases.
Source
www.theverge.com