Do you know about PFAS? They are dangerous lab-made chemicals that never naturally break down or go away, hence the name “forever chemicals.” PFAS can be found in almost everything from food packing to non-stick pans. And more and more items we use are being discovered to contain PFAS, like zippers!
An estimated 45 percent of drinking water in the U.S. is contaminated with PFAS, and bottled water is similarly contaminated.
Corporate polluters have known for decades that PFAS chemicals are toxic, and research has made it clear that no amount of PFAS is safe. PFAS chemicals leach into our food, water, ecosystems, and bodies, posing serious human health risks, including cancers, immune system harm, and reproductive system harm.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed enforceable limits on six types of PFAS in drinking water but has failed to address all forms of PFAS, leaving thousands of the toxic chemicals excluded from testing and potential regulation. Additionally, Republicans introduced a package of bills this year that would remove corporate liability to clean up PFAS pollution!
The EPA is taking the first step to regulate some toxic PFAS, but these plans don’t go far enough, and we must hold the polluting industries accountable. More extensive regulations are needed to protect us from its serious health risks.
Food & Water Action has been fighting to ensure that the EPA uses a broad, widely accepted definition of PFAS. For years, we’ve been calling to stop PFAS in order to protect public health. Now, we need to raise our voices to make sure corporate PFAS polluters are not let off the hook.
Corporate polluters must be held accountable for cleaning up their pollution and complying with new limits on PFAS. Any legislation to exempt corporations from their PFAS pollution or narrow PFAS regulations is a danger to people and the planet.
Mary Grant
Public Water for All Campaign Director
Food & Water Action
P.S. Our sibling organization, Food & Water Watch, released a new report this week: PFAS and the Chemistry of Concealment. Check it out to learn more about the widespread contamination of PFAS in our environment.
Food & Water Action and its affiliated organization, Food & Water Watch, are advocacy groups with a common mission to protect our food, water and climate.
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