Dive Into Democracy: Protect Communities From PFAS Pollution!
By: Thomas Hynes
From small towns to big cities, we all deserve clean water. The few protections we do have are at risk of being weakened, letting industry off the hook and opening the floodgates to more toxic “forever chemicals” in our drinking water.
Right now two proposals to weaken national limits for the amount of PFAS permitted in our drinking water are under consideration at the White House. The plans would repeal limits for four compounds and delay compliance for PFOA and PFOS — two of the most toxic and well-studied of more than 16,000 PFAS chemicals. These harmful proposals are not getting widespread media attention. Now is the time to create pressure.
At the same time, the Environmental Protection Agency continues to permit the use of PFAS-laden pesticides on our food, with additional approvals under review. That means even more contamination for watersheds already under strain and an increased risk to public health.
The scope of the problem is staggering. In a recent study, Waterkeeper Alliance and local Waterkeeper groups found PFAS in 98% of waterways tested across 19 states, often at unsafe levels. The most frequently detected and dangerous compounds were PFOA and PFOS.
Forever chemicals are toxic, persistent, and linked to cancer, immune system damage, reproductive harm, thyroid dysfunction, and developmental problems in children. When exposure makes people sick, families pay the price and so do taxpayers. The health and cleanup costs could add up to billions.
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin once supported strong PFAS protections. Now, his actions favor chemical companies over public health. We demand better. In fact, a recent poll shows that 84% of people in America want stronger oversight of harmful chemicals, sending a clear message that communities want prevention, not excuses.
States are stepping up. The federal government must do the same.
Take Action Now:
Tell EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and the White House to stop rolling back our drinking water protections and make polluters, not people, pay for PFAS.