Pew Calls on Environmental Protection Agency to Retain PFAS Drinking Water Rule

On July 20, The Pew Charitable Trusts submitted comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding two proposals related to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water. Pew urged the EPA to withdraw its plans to extend the deadline for water systems to comply with the 2024 National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) maximum contaminant levels for the chemicals perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and rescind regulations for four additional PFAS.

In its comments, Pew warned that these changes would put public health at risk by allowing continued exposures to multiple PFAS, which are often called “forever chemicals” because of their inability to break down and their resulting persistence in the environment and the human body. PFAS have been shown to disrupt the hormone and immune systems, contributing to serious long-term health effects, including cancers and reproductive issues.

The 2024 PFAS NPWDR reflects the best available science, advice from EPA’s science advisers, and extensive stakeholder input. Pew recommends that EPA implement it promptly and partner with states to facilitate potential exemptions from its provisions based on a case-by-case review of water systems’ needs as allowed under the Safe Drinking Water Act.