The Ecology Center, with our partners in the Great Lakes PFAS Action Network (GLPAN), condemn the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) decision to roll back the country's first-ever drinking water standards for 'forever chemicals', endangering the health of Americans everywhere.
"Yesterday's decision by the EPA rolls back monumental science-based standards meant to protect our health. These actions will undoubtedly make the drinking water of millions across the country less safe," said Tony Spaniola, co-chair of the Great Lakes PFAS Action Network. "Communities in Michigan, like Oscoda, have grappled with toxic PFAS contamination for years. Rolling back the drinking water standards undoes years of progress to protect the health of these communities."
The drinking water standards were finalized in April 2024 and established legally enforceable individual Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for PFOA and PFOS at four parts per trillion (ppt), MCLs for PFHxS, PFNA, and GenX at 10 ppt. They set a Hazard Index MCL for chemical mixtures containing two or more of either PFHxS, PFNA, HGPO-DA, or PFBS.
PFAS or 'forever chemicals' are a widespread environmental hazard, and exposure to them is linked to numerous adverse health outcomes such as decreased fertility, delays in children's development, increased risk of cancer, and increased cholesterol levels. Unfortunately, due to widespread use and contamination, PFAS are found in our bodies, wildlife, waterways, rain, and even our blood. One of the largest sources of exposure is through contaminated drinking water. Unfortunately, the EPA’s decision to roll back public protections will continue to threaten our drinking water supply.
“The EPA has the fundamental role of creating and enforcing safeguards for our water. Today's action by the Trump EPA does just the opposite," said Sandy Wynn-Stelt, co-chair of the Great Lakes PFAS Action Network. "Drinking water contaminated with toxic PFAS chemicals is linked to numerous health impacts and threatens the health of communities in Michigan and beyond. We are calling on members of Congress to do everything they can to oppose these rollbacks and protect our drinking water from toxic PFAS contamination."
Not only does yesterday's decision eliminate the drinking water standards for all but PFOA and PFOS, it also extends the compliance timeline for those two chemicals from 2029 to 2031.
This decision will result in more PFAS in our drinking water and is a major setback in our pursuit to ‘Turn the tap off on PFAS.” Perhaps most egregious is that it comes from the agency whose sole purpose is to protect public health and the environment.
Read the press release and tell your members of Congress to show their opposition to the EPA’s announcement. It’s important they continue to hear from all of us about protecting our drinking water from PFAS!