EPA Plans to Address “Forever Chemicals,” but Details are Limited.

The Trump administration has announced an increase in initiatives aimed at addressing PFA pollution, yet it remains vague regarding its support for Biden-era regulations that demand utilities to eliminate “forever chemicals” from the drinking water of millions of Americans.

“We are excited to engage in this process of exploring the world,” stated Lee Zeldin, Environmental Protection Agency administrator. “This marks the beginning of the efforts by Americans at PFA to ensure they enjoy the cleanest air, land, and water.”

PFA, or polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of chemicals linked to cancer and other health issues, commonly found in products like waterproof clothing and paper straws. These persistent chemicals are contaminating drinking water across the nation. According to the latest EPA data, up to 158 million Americans are impacted by PFA in their water.

Last year, President Joseph R. Biden Jr. implemented the first PFA limits on drinking water, effectively mandating local government water systems to eliminate specific types of PFA.

However, the Water and Chemical Industry Group has initiated a lawsuit claiming that drinking water standards impose excessive costs. The Trump administration is set to determine in court whether to maintain these standards ahead of the May 12 deadline.

On Monday, the EPA unveiled measures to combat PFA contamination, including designating officials to lead the agency’s chemical efforts, crafting guidelines on permissible PFA discharge from plants, engaging Congress, and developing mechanisms to hold contaminators responsible.

The EPA further indicated it would establish a plan to manage PFAS contamination in fertilizers derived from sewage sludge. There is heightened concern regarding the extensive contamination of U.S. farmland due to biosolid fertilizers containing harmful PFA levels.

Environmental groups expressed that the EPA’s proposal lacked clarity, particularly regarding the commitment to uphold Biden-era drinking water standards. Among the few indicators of the Trump administration’s approach was a reference to the need to address “compliance challenges.”

The Trump administration also faces a court deadline next month concerning its defense of two types of PFA classifications that require polluters to clean under the nation’s Superfund Act.

“What we really want is a clear answer; they are completely dodging this issue,” commented Eric D. Olson, senior strategist for drinking water and health at the Natural Resources Defense Council, an environmental advocacy group.

Olson noted that while the EPA claims to base its actions on scientific evidence, he pointed out that the agency plans to reduce its scientific research division and cut its overall budget by 65%. “On one hand, the EPA announces new initiatives, yet on the other, it aims to reduce budgets and eliminate the scientists responsible for these efforts,” he stated. “I fail to see how this reconciles.”

EPA spokesperson Dominique Joseph stated that the agency’s new leadership is currently reviewing the Biden administration’s drinking water standards. She did not provide insights on how the EPA plans to move forward with its Superfund policy.

Industry groups, including the American Water Works Association and the National Association of Manufacturers, that are suing the EPA over PFAs did not respond immediately.

James L. Ferraro, an environmental attorney representing several water operators, remarked that the EPA announcement “shows that agencies are aware of the financial strain that PFAS regulations impose on public water systems and the industry.” However, he noted that the new measures seemed “very preliminary.” “We’ll see how this develops.”

The EPA’s announcement on addressing PFA comes as the administration pursues broader efforts to roll back national climate and environmental regulations. Yet, polling consistently reveals that Americans prioritize clean water protection over climate change policies. This remains popular across political lines.

Even the White House has pushed back against the use of paper straws, citing that “scientists and regulators have raised significant concerns about PFAS chemicals for decades.”