Relaxed PFAS Regulations in U.S. Drinking Water Under Lee Zeldin's EPA Leadership
- Relaxing rules on persistent chemicals in potable water, U.S. authorities announce
Here's the lowdown on the latest developments in the management of those pesky "forever chemicals" known as PFAS in U.S. drinking water.
Under the command of EPA administrator, Lee Zeldin, PFAS regulation entails maintaining the National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS). These chemicals are limited to a combined four parts per trillion (ppt)[1][2][4]. The EPA has pushed back the deadline for water systems to meet these standards until 2031, providing a two-year extension for rural and small communities[4].
The EPA is looking to scrap regulations for other PFAS, such as PFHxS, PFNA, PFBS, and HFPO-DA (GenX Chemicals), which were previously set at 10 ppt individually[2][3][4]. This move aims to uphold compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).
Compared to Previous Regimes
Trump's Reign
During Trump's tenure, initial steps were taken to combat PFAS contamination in drinking water. However, no federal enforceable standards were implemented. Instead, a non-binding health advisory level of 70 ppt combined for PFOA and PFOS was set[5].
Biden's Era
In the Biden administration, enforceable limits for six PFAS, including PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, PFBS, and HFPO-DA (GenX Chemicals), were initiated in April 2023[2]. Unfortunately, the current EPA under Lee Zeldin has retracted portions of this regulation, particularly the standards for four of the six chemicals[2][3].
Salient Points
- Rollbacks and Rescissions: The EPA under Zeldin has rolled back regulations for PFHxS, PFNA, PFBS, and HFPO-DA (GenX Chemicals), but maintains PFOA and PFOS standards[2][4].
- Deadline Extension: Compliance with the PFOA and PFOS standards has been pushed back to 2031[4].
- Legacy of Trump: Primary focus was on health advisories as opposed to enforceable standards.
- Biden's Impact: Initiated enforceable standards for six PFAS, partially undone by the current regime.
- The EPA, under Lee Zeldin's leadership, is currently maintaining regulations for PFOA and PFOS in U.S. drinking water, limiting them to a combined four parts per trillion, as opposed to the initial health advisory level of 70 parts per trillion set during Donald Trump's presidency.
- In the realm of general news and political discussions, there have been charges of weakness regarding the EPA's handling of PFAS chemicals in drinking water, with the Joe Biden administration initially setting enforceable limits for six such chemicals, only to have the current EPA under Lee Zeldin retract portions of this regulation.
- The relaxation of PFAS regulations in the USA, particularly the rollbacks and rescissions of regulations for PFHxS, PFNA, PFBS, and HFPO-DA (GenX Chemicals), have led to debates in environmental science and health-and-wellness circles, with concerns regarding potential health risks associated with these chemicals and their impact on medical-conditions.
- Ascertaining the precise impact of these changes on the drinking water in the USA requires an understanding of the ongoing developments in the field of science, including the ongoing research into the effects of PFAS chemicals on human health and the environment.
