I have some great news! On July 21st, the House of Representatives passed the PFAS Action Act of 2021, jumpstarting regulations for toxic lab-made chemicals called perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
PFAS are called “forever chemicals” for a reason: They don’t break down naturally, and they leach into our food and water. These chemicals have been posing major health risks to communities and contaminating drinking water supplies across the country for decades. In fact, more than 200 million people in the U.S. could be drinking PFAS-contaminated water.
The PFAS Action Act would require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set drinking water standards for PFOA and PFOS (the two most studied PFAS chemicals) and would designate these as “hazardous substances” under the Superfund program to facilitate the cleanup of toxic sites.
For years, the EPA has made — and broken — promises to set safety standards and protect people from widespread PFAS contamination. Now we need the Senate to step up and protect our drinking water. Communities have waited too long already.
Long-term exposure to PFAS chemicals is associated with birth defects, thyroid disease, weakened immunity, liver problems and certain cancers. The corporations that produce PFAS chemicals have known about these dangers for decades and suppressed reports about health risks.
We cannot afford any further delay when it comes to removing these chemicals from our drinking water with enforceable regulations, and ensuring the biggest polluters are held accountable for cleaning up their rampant contamination. These toxic chemicals should be nowhere near our food and water — and it’s time for the Senate to take action.
Food & Water Action and its affiliated organization, Food & Water Watch, are advocacy groups with a common mission to protect our food, water and climate. This email was sent to [email protected] - and we're glad you got it, because it's one of the most important ways you can reclaim political power, hold elected officials accountable and resist corporate control.
