The Environmental Protection Agency has taken a significant step in designating PFOA and PFOS, two forever chemicals, as hazardous substances under the Superfund law. This action will facilitate quicker cleanup of these toxic compounds and hold industries accountable for contamination financially. The measure mandates reporting of their release into soil or water and allows the EPA to require cleanups to protect public health. While the designation does not ban the chemicals, it does require reporting of releases that meet certain levels and may lead to costly cleanups to ensure public safety.
PFOA and PFOS are part of a larger group of forever chemicals known as PFAS that have been used in a variety of products since the 1940s. These chemicals can accumulate and persist in the human body for extended periods, leading to potential health risks including cancer, liver and heart damage, and developmental issues in infants and children. The final rule issued by the EPA follows strict limits set on certain PFAS in drinking water, aimed at reducing exposure for millions of people and preventing illnesses such as cancer. The EPA’s actions are a response to the threat that forever chemicals pose to public health across the country.
Last year, three major chemical companies reached a $1.18 billion settlement to resolve complaints of polluting U.S. drinking water systems with PFAS. Additionally, 3M Co. announced a multibillion-dollar settlement to compensate public drinking water systems for contamination with forever chemicals. President Biden’s administration has taken steps to address the issue of PFAS contamination, understanding the threat it poses to families nationwide. The EPA’s designation of PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances allows for earlier action, expedited cleanups, and makes polluters responsible for the costs of remediation.
The Superfund law allows the EPA to clean up contaminated sites and hold responsible parties accountable for contamination. The agency will focus enforcement efforts on businesses that significantly contribute to the release of PFAS chemicals into the environment, including manufacturers and users of these substances. PFAS used in firefighting foam has led to groundwater contamination on military bases and other locations, requiring swift action to protect public health. The EPA’s designation of PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances is a crucial step in addressing the widespread issue of PFAS contamination.
The federal designation of PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances will ensure that manufacturers accountable for widespread PFAS contamination will bear the costs of cleaning it up. This will prevent polluters, including chemical companies, from passing the costs of their PFAS releases onto impacted communities and taxpayers. Water utilities, fire departments, and other groups had expressed concerns about unfair costs and cleanup standards under previous EPA proposals. The EPA’s Superfund rule is seen as a positive step towards holding polluters accountable for decades of contamination.
Environmental groups and experts have applauded the EPA’s actions to designate PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances under the Superfund law. This measure will help protect millions of American families exposed to toxic chemicals and ensure that responsible parties are held accountable for cleanup efforts. The EPA’s rule is aimed at addressing the health risks posed by PFAS contamination, which has been identified as a serious public health threat in the U.S. and globally. By designating PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances, the EPA is taking a significant step towards addressing the widespread issue of PFAS contamination and protecting public health.
