EPA Announces New Health Advisory Levels for Toxic “Forever Chemicals”

Earthjustice applauds announcement, aggressive action still needed for PFAS in drinking water

Contacts

Erin Fitzgerald, Earthjustice, efitzgerald@earthjustice.org

Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set lifetime health advisory levels for PFOA, PFOS, PFBS, and GenX, toxic chemicals that have polluted water across the country. Health advisory levels are important for states and water utilities to inform communities and the water sector about these contaminants and public health impacts. EPA is also implementing the first $1 billion of $5 billion in the 2022 Fiscal Year through the Bipartisan Infrastructure bill’s new emerging contaminants program offered to small or disadvantaged communities.

The following statement is from Christine Santillana, Earthjustice’s legislative counsel:

“We are grateful for EPA’s action on setting important lifetime health advisory levels for these two most notorious PFAS but it is critical that the agency accelerates its efforts to set an enforceable drinking water standard and develop a total PFAS standard that expands beyond these four. EPA must comprehensively address ongoing exposure and drinking water contamination of communities across the country.”

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