Tell the EPA to designate PFAS as hazardous: [link removed]

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Dear Friend,

PFAS are toxic chemicals that persist in human bodies and in the environment for decades, making it imperative that the Environmental Protection Agency act now to clean up these hazardous substances. Congress enacted the Superfund law in 1980 to clean up communities polluted by toxic contaminates, like PFAS. While the EPA acknowledges PFAS are highly toxic, the chemical class is not currently covered by the Superfund law because the agency does not classify them as hazardous substances. Send a letter to the EPA today telling the agency that it must add PFAS to the Superfund list and clean up this public health crisis! [link removed]

“PFAS,” which stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a class of long-lasting “forever chemicals, ” many of which accumulate in human bodies and are extremely toxic, even at miniscule levels. PFAS can be found in everyday products like nonstick pans, waterproof jackets, mascara, and hairspray. In addition, they’ve been detected in the drinking water supplies in more than 1,000 communities nationwide, including major cities like New York, Washington D.C., and Chicago.

The EPA proposed to designate the two most notorious PFAS – PFOA and PFOS – as hazardous substances under the Superfund law last year. This year, they are soliciting comments on the potential designation of additional PFAS as hazardous substances in future rulemaking processes. The designation of PFAS as hazardous substances is a critical step in holding polluters accountable for contaminating communities.

PFAS were created in the 1940s and used in products like Teflon and firefighting foam. Companies like 3M and Dupont have manufactured and dumped PFOA, PFOS, and other PFAS for decades — despite knowing of those chemicals’ severe risks — resulting in widespread drinking water contamination. 3M recently announced that they will stop making PFAS by the end of 2025, but this doesn’t reverse the damage done throughout the decades or assist the many communities that are already contaminated by PFAS. While PFOA and PFOS have been largely phased out of production in the United States due to links to cancers and birth defects, they are still present in the environment and in products that are being imported into the U.S. Moreover, other PFAS continue to be produced in massive quantities and released to the air, water and soil. These newer PFAS include “precursors” that break down into PFOA, PFOS, and other PFAS. Meanwhile, more than 98% of the U.S. population has PFAS in their bodies, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Enough is enough. Forever chemicals can't be allowed to contaminate our bodies and the environment. Take action with Earthjustice today to tell the EPA to clean up these toxic chemicals from our daily lives! [link removed]

Sincerely,
Jonathan Kalmuss-Katz
Senior Attorney, Toxic Exposure and Health Program

TAKE ACTION: [link removed]

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