Now the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed to rollback a number of important drinking water standards. These standards were first enacted by the Biden administration to create enforceable limits for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). This decision removes the federal barriers on these chemicals. Commonly referred to as “forever chemicals,” they are virtually unrecoverable from the environment and the human body. The Biden administration enacted the first federal PFAS drinking water limits in 2023. For two of the most prevalent types, PFOA and PFOS, they limit them to an acceptable level of just 4 parts per trillion.
Over 100 million Americans are averted from potentially dangerous contaminants that could be in their drinking water. The health effects associated with PFAS exposure have resulted in very grave health concerns. These man-made chemicals have been linked to higher risks of cardiovascular disease, some cancers, and low birth weight in newborns. The EPA’s original regulations would go a long way towards reducing PFAS exposure for the most impacted communities. The new provisions could prevent that advancement and more.
Health Risks of PFAS
PFAS are human-made chemicals that never break down in nature. As a consequence, they build up in drinking water systems across the U.S. The possible health risks associated with these toxic substances are shocking to say the least. Abundant research has demonstrated that PFAS, even at low levels, lead to serious health effects. Consequently, public health advocates are calling for stronger regulations.
The Biden administration’s rule was anticipated to affect nearly 12% of U.S. water utilities, which exceed the set limits for PFAS. The price tag for making these new regulations a reality was estimated to be around $1.5 billion a year. Public health and environmental advocates are rightfully concerned about the long-term implications for public health and the environment. With the rollback now in effect, these worries are only exacerbated.
“This current administration promised voters it would ‘Make America Healthy Again’ but rescinding part of the PFAS drinking water standards does no such thing.” – Anonymous source
Regulatory Changes and Impacts
This mere glimpse at the EPA’s recently announced, far-reaching plans! They will again reexamine limits on a combination of all different kinds PFAS of PFAS and test three specific kinds called GenX substances—all of which are prevalent in North Carolina. Erik Olson, senior strategic director for health and food at the Natural Resources Defense Council, lambasted the rollback. He said it betrays the promise made by past administrations to provide all Americans with safe drinking water.
In light of these developments, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin emphasized that the agency is still committed to protecting Americans from PFAS contamination. We are not gonna let our strong nationwide standards be rolled back,” he said on Swinney’s show, “We’re focused on keeping Americans safe from PFOA and PFOS in their drinking water.” Meanwhile, we’ll be fighting to secure the common-sense flexibility—additional time to comply—that this targeted approach needs.
Utilities across the country are left to wonder what the future holds as they continue to sift through the change this significant rollback represents. Mike McGill, president of WaterPIO, remarked on the additional challenges posed by this regulatory shift: “This gives water pros more time to deal with the ones we know are bad, and we are going to need more time. Others have only recently learned the fate their utility will face.
Reactions from Advocacy Groups
Advocacy groups are rightly disappointed by the EPA’s move here, claiming it undermines the health and safety of communities. Melanie Benesh, vice president of government affairs at the Environmental Working Group, articulated concerns regarding the impact on newer generations of PFAS: “You really reduce what utilities have to do to make sure that the other, newer generation PFAS are captured.”
Public health advocates are concerned that the state’s rollback will just let utilities focus on the lower PFAS levels on the older PFAS types. This focus would mean ignoring newer strains to which we are exposed that present these dangers.
This has led many community leaders and public health officials alike to call for a reconsideration of policies already in place. Like us, they argue that what we need is a whole-of-government approach. This is essential to be able to truly regulate and tackle all toxic PFAS in our drinking water supplies.
