EPA Designates PFAS as “Forever Chemicals”

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken a step in addressing the widespread contamination caused by per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as “forever chemicals,” designating two PFAS chemicals, PFOA and PFOS, as hazardous substances under the Superfund law, the EPA aims to expedite cleanup efforts and hold responsible parties accountable for the pollution.

While the designation does not outright ban the use of PFOA and PFOS, it mandates the reporting of releases into soil or water exceeding certain levels. It empowers the EPA to enforce cleanups to safeguard public health and recover costs.

PFAS chemicals are phased out in the U.S. but persist in the environment due to their non-degradable nature. Used extensively since the 1940s in various industries and consumer products, including cookware, carpets, and firefighting foams, they pose health risks, accumulating in the body, leading to cancer, liver and heart damage, and developmental issues in infants and children.

The EPA’s action aligns with recent efforts to mitigate PFAS exposure, including strict limits on certain PFAS in drinking water. These regulations, announced earlier this month, aim to reduce exposure for millions of Americans and prevent illnesses, including cancers, associated with PFAS contamination in drinking water.

Financial responsibility for cleanup efforts is also addressed, with chemical companies reaching billion-dollar settlements to compensate for polluting drinking water systems with PFAS. President Joe Biden’s administration has emphasized the urgency of addressing the threat posed by PFAS, underscoring the EPA’s commitment to protecting communities’ health and holding polluters accountable.

In Nevada, the impact of PFAS contamination on water supplies, addressed through regulatory measures and funding initiatives, has not been a source of PFAS pollution, however, proactive measures such as banning PFAS in firefighting foam and implementing a PFAS Action Plan demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding public health.

Ongoing research and monitoring efforts, led by researchers like Yeongkwon Son, a Desert Research Institute researcher and University of Nevada, Reno professor, aim to identify sources of PFAS pollution and implement targeted interventions to mitigate risks. Son’s study, which focused on PFAS pollution in Nevada, highlighted the importance of understanding the origins of these chemicals to develop effective cleanup strategies.