After 30,000 call for regulation, EPA takes step to prevent PFAS pollution

PFAS are toxic chemicals linked to cancer, autoimmune diseases, birth defects and myriad other health problems. This hasn’t stopped polluters from dumping these “forever chemicals” into our waters. 

After nearly 30,000 supporters of Environment America and our national network called on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate PFAS pollution, the agency announced a plan to end the direct dumping of PFAS chemicals into America’s waterways on Oct. 18. This is important progress, but PFAS pollution won’t really end until the chemicals are no longer in use and existing pollution is cleaned up. 

“The EPA’s plan has the potential to end the direct dumping of these highly toxic substances into our waters,” said John Rumpler, Environment America’s Clean Water senior program director. “But because these chemicals last forever, we’ll need to go further.” 

Environment America now calls for the full phase-out of PFAS chemicals. 

Read more about the plan.

Learn more about our Clean Water & Air campaign.