The Environmental Protection Agency has designated two forever chemicals, PFOA and PFOS, as hazardous substances under the Superfund law. This action is aimed at ensuring quicker cleanup of these toxic compounds and requiring industries responsible for contamination to pay for its removal. While the chemicals have been voluntarily phased out by U.S. manufacturers, they are still in limited use and remain in the environment due to their inability to degrade over time. PFOA and PFOS are part of a larger group of forever chemicals known as PFAS, which have been used in various consumer products since the 1940s.
Evidence from animal and human studies indicates that exposure to PFOA or PFOS may lead to various health problems, including cancer, liver and heart damage, and developmental issues in infants and children. President Joe Biden’s administration recognizes the threat that forever chemicals pose to public health and is taking steps to address contaminated sites and expedite cleanups. The EPA’s final rule, issued on Friday, imposes strict limits on certain PFAS in drinking water to reduce exposure for millions of people and prevent illnesses, including cancers.
The American Chemistry Council, representing the chemical industry, strongly opposes the EPA’s action, believing that designating PFAS as hazardous substances under the Superfund law will hinder overall remediation efforts for PFAS contamination. However, last year, three chemical companies reached a $1.18 billion deal to resolve complaints of polluting U.S. drinking water systems with PFAS. DuPont de Nemours Inc., The Chemours Co., and Corteva Inc. agreed to compensate water providers for contamination. Additionally, 3M Co. announced a multibillion-dollar settlement to compensate U.S. public drinking water systems affected by forever chemicals.
The EPA’s enforcement efforts will focus on businesses and individuals significantly contributing to the release of PFAS chemicals into the environment. This includes manufacturers and users of PFAS, as well as federal agencies and other responsible groups. The Superfund law allows the EPA to clean up contaminated sites across the country and hold parties responsible for contamination accountable for cleanup costs. The EPA’s action comes after a report by the National Academies of Science highlighted PFAS as a serious public health threat and emphasized the need for accountability in addressing contamination.
The Superfund designation will ensure that manufacturers most responsible for widespread PFAS contamination bear the costs of cleaning it up. Environmental advocates see this as a crucial step in holding polluters accountable for the impact of their releases on communities and taxpayers. While some critics, like West Virginia Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, argue that the EPA’s action may burden local communities and ratepayers unfairly, advocates believe it is a necessary measure to address decades of contamination and protect families from exposure to toxic chemicals. The EPA’s Superfund rule is seen as a positive step towards cleaning up PFAS contamination and holding polluters accountable.
