Delaware's Crusade Against PFAS Contamination
Lawmakers in Delaware attempt to tighten PFAS regulations amidst loosening from the Trump administration.
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The First State is on a mission to slash toxic PFAS chemicals from public drinking water, bucking the Trump administration's attempt to loosen federal regulations on these so-called "forever chemicals."
Last year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency established guidelines for water providers to test and treat PFAS to near-zero levels by 2029. But that plan took a turn last month when the EPA proposed to ease certain regulations and push the compliance deadline to 2031.
Delaware lawmakers are not taking any chances. State Sen. Darius Brown, the bill’s sponsor, insists that protecting residents' health is crucial, no matter the federal stance. "This is a serious health issue. We gotta make sure we're doing everything possible in Delaware," Brown said.
PFAS, frequent in consumer products like nonstick cookware and waterproof clothing, and firefighting foam, have been linked to severe health problems such as certain cancers, thyroid disease, developmental delays in children, and other health issues. The chemicals can linger in the bloodstream for years, fueling lawsuits against manufacturers like DuPont and 3M.
Wilmington, known as the chemical capital of the world, is home to DuPont, a major PFAS user. However, PFAS has turned up in other parts of the state, including Dover and Blades, as well as in rivers and streams.
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Senate Bill 72, introduced in March, aims to build momentum. The legislation requires water providers to test for PFAS starting in 2026 and lower PFAS levels in drinking water to 2029. The bill mirrors the EPA's regulations from last year, restricting PFOA and PFOS to 4 parts per trillion.
As the EPA mulls a rollback of federal PFAS restrictions, Delaware's legislation takes a stand. The state plans to restrict PFHxS, PFNA, and GenX to 10 parts per trillion. The state will use funds from a DuPont settlement to aid water providers in reducing PFAS levels over the next ten years.
Though PFOA and PFOS are widely detected, chemicals like PFHxS are often found near airports and military bases, where firefighting foam is discharged. Residents in New Castle, near Wilmington Airport, have alarmingly high levels of PFHxS from contaminated water, due to the National Guard's use of firefighting foam.
Clean water advocates stress the importance of Delaware's legislation, stating that higher PFAS levels in the blood increase the risk of developing diseases associated with these chemicals. "If the EPA weakens or backs out [of regulations], the states need to step up to protect public health," said Tracy Carluccio, deputy director of the Delaware Riverkeeper Network.
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[References]1. PFAS in Drinking Water2. Delaware PFAS Regulations3. Biden Administration PFAS Regulations4. Water Providers Sue EPA over PFAS Regulations5. PFAS Testing and Disclosure in Delaware
- Delaware's Senate Bill 72, introduced in March, is aimed at reducing PFAS levels in drinking water by requiring water providers to test for these chemicals starting in 2026 and lowering levels to near-zero by 2029, mirroring last year's EPA regulations.
- As climate change and environmental science continue to be topical in political discussions, Delaware lawmakers are taking a stance against the proposed easing of federal PFAS regulations by the EPA, planning to restrict PFHxS, PFNA, and GenX to 10 parts per trillion in drinking water.
- With connections to health-and-wellness issues such as certain cancers, thyroid disease, developmental delays in children, and other medical-conditions, the environmental implications of climate change and PFAS contamination are highlighted through Delaware's efforts to protect its residents from these harmful chemicals.
