The Trump administration has announced a plan that aims to rescind restrictions on four Pfas “forever chemicals” in drinking water placed during Joe-Biden’s presidency.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is pushing a proposal that could change federal drinking water regulations regarding forever chemicals, highlighting a seismic shift from standards set in 2024.
The proposal is based on two separate rules to delay or eliminate the limits on PFAs.
When it comes to repeal, the EPA plans to revoke the restriction for four specific compounds, including GenX, PFNA, PFHxS and PFBS. According to the agency, the restrictions were hastily imposed by the previous government without taking the required legal and procedural steps.
The agency will also seek to delay implementation of national standards for two additional Pfas compounds, such as PFOA and PFOS.
“The Trump EPA is committed to making America healthy again by ensuring clean air, land and water – and by addressing PFAs right, through their full life cycle and built to last,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin.
Comments from health experts
The announcement also provoked strong reactions from industry leaders, experts and the public. In 2024, when these restrictions were imposed, public health advocates praised these measures as important for millions of Americans.
The decision to roll back restrictions has raised concerns. Dr. Anna Reade, director of Pfas advocacy at the Natural Resources Defense Council, said: “Zeldin and Kennedy are trying to sell drinks from the back of a covered wagon.”
“The millions of Americans who demand safe drinking water will not fall for their hocus pocus.”
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. However, defended this move, claiming that we are not eliminating mandatory protections, but we are seeking to implement a “clean water mandate.”
The proposal will go through a formal process and could face several legal challenges.
Consequences for millions of Americans
PFAs, also called ‘forever chemicals’ because they do not break down in the environment. By one estimate, these chemicals contaminate the drinking water of more than 200 million Americans.
EPA’s 2024 data also suggested that the limits imposed by Biden would have reduced exposure for 100 million people and protected people from cancer, heart disease, childhood health problems, liver abnormalities and problems with immune suppression.
