WASHINGTON – The Environmental Protection Agency’s recent release of two landmark rules addressing the “forever chemicals” known as PFAS adds to the Biden administration’s momentum in completing long-overdue PFAS actions. The Environmental Working Group tracks these actions in its just-updated report card.
“President Joe Biden pledged to make PFAS a priority, and his government has delivered,” said John Reeder, EWG’s vice president for federal affairs. “This administration’s commitment to protecting Americans by addressing toxic PFAS contamination is unparalleled.”
EWG in June 2022 launched its Federal PFAS Report Card, which tracks pledges by the EPA, Department of Defense and other agencies that the Biden administration vowed to implement, as well as agencies’ congressionally required efforts. EWG found in 2022 and 2023 that several important agency milestones were behind schedule.
Since then, the administration has taken notable steps forward in addressing the crisis, including the EPA’s April announcement of bold new drinking water standards for six PFAS and its designation of PFOA and PFOS, two of the most notorious PFAS, as hazardous substances under the Superfund law.
The new drinking water standards will reduce PFAS risks for 100 million Americans, and the hazardous substance designation will kick-start the cleanup of PFAS-contaminated sites, such as military installations, among others.
“With agencies on track to remove PFAS from drinking water, clean up historic contamination and eliminate needless uses of PFAS, we are witnessing a monumental step forward in protecting public health and the environment,” added Reeder.
EWG’s report card update found that federal agencies have completed an impressive 80 percent of actions that were due in the president’s government-wide plan to tackle PFAS – a record high since EWG launched the report, almost two years ago. EWG reviews the status of the actions every quarter.
PFAS are called forever chemicals because they are among the most persistent toxic compounds in existence, contaminating everything from drinking water to food packaging and personal care products. They never break down in the environment and they build up in people.
PFAS are toxic at very low levels and have been linked to serious health problems, including increased risk of cancer and harm to the reproductive and immune systems.
###
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that empowers people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. Through research, advocacy and unique education tools, EWG drives consumer choice and civic action.Areas of Focus
EPA rules mark leap forward in tackling ‘forever chemicals’
Disqus Comments