EPA Announces A Critical Rule to Clean Up Forever Chemicals and Protect Public Health
Washington, DC -- Today the Biden administration announced the completion of a critical rule that will clean up pollution from two per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS). Both will be deemed as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), otherwise known as Superfund.
This final rule recognizes the potential dangers to the environment and public health by increasing transparency of any discharges of these pollutants, as well as eliminating barriers to clean-up. Exposure to PFAS substances known as “forever chemicals” persist and accumulate in the body over time. They have been linked to impacts on the liver and heart, various cancers, and are known to cause immune and developmental problems in children.
In response, Sierra Club Legislative Director Melinda Pierce released the following statement:
“The EPA is taking critical steps to protect public health from ‘forever chemicals’ that threaten both our environment and our public health. There is no safe level of exposure to PFAS chemicals, and by designating additional substances to Superfund, the EPA will be able to move swiftly to clean up contaminated sites and hold polluters accountable. Combined with the recently announced drinking water standard for PFAS and the critical investments made through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, President Biden and his administration have prioritized action over rhetoric when it comes to safeguarding our communities.”