Trump’s EPA Rolls Back Protections Against PFAS in Drinking Water |
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The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Monday proposed dropping limits for four cancer-linked “forever chemicals” in drinking water established during the Biden administration, saying the changes were rushed and not in compliance with federal law.
At the same time, the EPA said it is earmarking nearly $1 billion in grant funding for communities to tackle per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other drinking water contaminants that plague water systems around the country. The agency touted the proposed changes as “reaffirming its commitment” to the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement.
“EPA’s actions today take important steps to reduce exposure, strengthen drinking water protections, and support communities as we work to address environmental contributors to chronic disease and advance the Make America Healthy Again agenda,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. in a statement.
The moves by Trump’s EPA come after the agency in 2024 set limits on six types of PFAS — PFOA, PFOS, GenX, PFBS, PFNA and PFHxS — which have been linked to a variety of health harms, including cancer, heart problems and birth defects. The drinking water limits were considered landmark regulations after years of research and testing found PFAS chemicals are widespread in........