On April 10 the Environmental Protection Agency unveiled a new regulation to tackle drinking water contamination from the “forever chemicals” known as PFAS. To get these toxic chemicals out of our drinking water, the rule establishes maximum contaminant levels, or MCLs, that set limits on six notorious PFAS: PFOA, PFOS, GenX, PFBS, PFNA and PFHxS.
Here are excerpts from the statements of environmental, health and community advocacy leaders and organizations about the EPA announcement, which marks historic progress addressing PFAS.
Tony Spaniola, co-chair, Great Lakes PFAS Action Network: “This is a monumental victory for the American people. Simply put, these PFAS drinking water standards will save the lives of countless Americans for generations to come. Thank you to President Biden for putting public health and science above the demands of powerful special interests. Thank you to the EPA for its diligent work. And thank you to our friends and allies in communities across the country for never giving up. Together, we have shown that the government can work for all of us.”
Linda Birnbaum, Ph.D., former director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences: “We’ve been waiting for federal regulation of these chemicals for a long time. We know that drinking water is a very significant source of the contamination.”
Ken Cook, president, Environmental Working Group: “More than 200 million Americans could have PFAS in their tap water, and for decades Americans have been exposed to toxic ‘forever chemicals’ with no oversight from their government. Today’s announcement of robust, health-protective legal limits on PFAS in tap water will finally give tens of millions of Americans the protection they should have had decades ago. It is the most consequential decision to regulate drinking water in 30 years.” Statement
Emily Donovan, co-founder, Clean Cape Fear: “We learned about GenX and other PFAS in our tap water six years ago. I raised my children on this water and watched loved ones suffer from rare or recurrent cancers. No one should ever worry if their tap water will make them sick or give them cancer. I’m grateful the Biden EPA heard our pleas and kept its promise to the American people. We will keep fighting until all exposures to PFAS end and the chemical companies responsible for business-related human rights abuses are held fully accountable.”
Sarah Doll, national director, Safer States: “This is a huge victory. These new rules will give communities across America access to safer drinking water. For years, states have led the way in addressing PFAS contamination. We applaud the administration for stepping up to ensure that all states and communities have these protections.” Statement
Cathy Wusterbarth, co-founder, Need Our Water (Oscoda, Mich.): “Establishing National Drinking Water Standards for PFAS is long awaited and a critical step to protecting human health. I am grateful to the Biden administration and EPA leadership for mapping the road to saving lives now and future generations.”
Autumn Leah Crowe, interim executive director, West Virginia Rivers Coalition: “In West Virginia, unsafe levels of PFAS have been found in the raw water supply for 130 community water systems. EPA’s drinking water standard for PFAS is a step in the right direction and will provide West Virginians with some assurance that their water is safe to drink if it meets the standard.”
Katherine O’Brien, senior attorney, Earthjustice: “At last, EPA has taken powerful action to protect the tens of millions of people across the country whose drinking water is contaminated with dangerous levels of PFAS. The law and science strongly support EPA’s standards, and we will advocate to ensure they are fully implemented and enforced.” Statement
Dr. Anna Reade, director of PFAS advocacy, Natural Resources Defense Council: “A growing body of scientific research shows that PFAS chemicals are more harmful to human health than previously thought, and at extremely low levels. Safe water is a human right and reducing exposure to even just six of the thousands of PFAS is a worthy start to tackling this massive public health and environmental crisis.” Statement
Elizabeth Biser, president, Environmental Council of the States: “Having federal standards for these forever chemicals in our drinking water provides certainty for the states, our public water systems, and our residents. Addressing PFAS requires a comprehensive approach, and the partnership between EPA and the states is critical to our success on this issue.” Statement
Roy Cooper, governor, North Carolina: “We are thankful that Administrator Regan and the Biden administration are taking this action to protect drinking water in North Carolina and across the country. We asked for this because we know science-based standards for PFAS and other compounds are desperately needed.” Statement
Cheryl Cail, acting chief, Waccamaw Indian People: “This is a historic step by the EPA and the Biden administration, which is long overdue! There is still much work to be done to ensure that compliance with the new standards is equitable and effective for all communities. The victory is bittersweet, as I reflect on tribal and community members who have suffered, and those who have passed on. But with these first steps to protect people and our drinking water from the harmful effects of PFAS, today we can celebrate.”
Liz Rosenbaum, co-founder, Fountain Valley Clean Water Coalition, and Mark Favors, veteran advocate: “We have been working towards a non-detect for all PFAS chemicals in drinking water supplies and holding chemical manufacturers responsible for the costs communities are incurring in filtering out these harmful chemicals. We applaud President Biden and the EPA for finally taking the required initial steps needed to start helping protect Americans from toxic PFAS chemicals in their drinking water. And let us not forget those who suffered negative health effects and lives lost to toxic PFAS chemicals in their drinking water, especially our military service members and their families.”
Dana Colihan, co-facilitator, National PFAS Contamination Coalition: “Impacted communities have been raising the alarm bells and tirelessly organizing for these drinking water protections for years. This is a landmark decision that will save countless lives.”
Sandy Wynn-Stelt, co-facilitator, National PFAS Contamination Coalition: “After experiencing first hand the dangers of these chemicals, losing my husband and suffering from cancer myself, I have realized the importance of having strong environmental standards. I applaud the EPA and the Biden administration for the tireless work and their focus on science to drive policy. This is an important step in protecting human health and the environment.”
Laurene Allen, founder, Merrimack Citizens for Clean Water (Merrimack, N.H.): “Today, we celebrate a milestone in our fight to ensure clean, safe drinking water for all. The EPA’s action on PFAS is a testament to the power of advocacy and the relentless push for environmental justice. While this is a significant achievement, our work is far from over. We will continue to advocate for the regulation of all toxic PFAS chemicals.”
Linda Robles, advocate, Mothers Safe Air Safe Water Force (Tucson, Ariz.): “For the last seven decades, AFFF [aqueous film-forming foam] went unseen and unregulated by the federal government before they took action to regulate them. Today I am overwhelmed with joy that the EPA took those final steps to regulate PFAS in our nation's drinking water. The new rule will provide our communities with a safe drinking water future, and a healthier and certain future for us and generations to come. Thank you, EPA. I’m right there with you.”
Andrea Amico, co-founder, Testing for Pease (Portsmouth, N.H.): “Ten years ago I first learned of my family’s exposure to PFAS and was shocked that there were no laws or protections in place to regulate these toxic chemicals in drinking water. One of the reasons I have continued to advocate for PFAS regulations over the last decade is to put protections in place so that another family would not have to experience the pain and devastation that I felt when I learned my family drank highly contaminated water. I am proud that 10 years later, grassroots community advocacy has significantly contributed to the EPA implementing MCLs that will save lives and protect families from these harmful chemicals in their drinking water.”
Dr. Kyle Horton, founder and CEO, On Your Side Action (Wilmington, N.C.): “These drinking water standards are a huge milestone in confronting the public health crisis of PFAS pollution. Clean, safe drinking water should be a right. Undoubtedly, health professionals in PFAS-contaminated communities all over the country are celebrating this monumental action, which will prevent countless PFAS-related illnesses and save lives.”
Jennifer Rawlison, volunteer, Newburgh Clean Water Project (Newburgh, N.Y.): “As a mother and lifelong resident from a PFAS impacted community, today not only recognizes the EPA’s continued commitment to protecting the public from harmful PFAS exposure but the hard work that so many impacted individuals have hoped to accomplish. May this action be just one of many steps to protecting families across the nation and environmental justice communities such as mine who carry an even heavier burden. This decision ensures a safer, healthier future for all.”
Stel Bailey, founder, Fight for Zero (Cocoa, Fla.): “PFAS contamination harms communities across the U.S., and the EPA’s final drinking water standards are a step in the right direction, one that tries to protect people, not profits.”
Ayesha Khan and Jaime Honkawa, co-founders, Nantucket PFAS Action Group (Nantucket, Mass.): “This is a long overdue, critical first step that will help protect millions of Americans from toxic PFAS in drinking water. However, this will continue to be a global catastrophe until we stop allowing the sale and manufacturing of all PFAS. We must continue advocating for class regulation, a ban on non-essential uses and industry accountability for remediation.”
Joanne Stanton, co-founder, Buxmont Coalition for Safer Water (Warminster, Pa.): “Today’s historic announcement by the EPA is a huge victory for all Americans and a cause for celebration! It highlights the strong leadership at the EPA and sends a powerful message to polluters, like the Department of Defense and Chemours, that these toxic ‘forever chemicals’ have no safe level. This drinking water standard will save countless lives from cancer and other debilitating illnesses associated with PFAS and fulfills President Biden’s campaign promise to protect public health and secure environmental justice. Thank you to the White House, the EPA, the Environmental Working Group, and fellow community advocates I have been privileged to work with on this issue over the past decade.” Statement
Hope Grosse, co-founder, Buxmont Coalition for Safe Water: I am beyond relieved that finally this ‘Historical federal MCL for PFAS has been established.’ I am an affected community member, a mom, an advocate and a grassroots leader, this has been a long 10-year journey. This is an emotional day, a day that gives me hope and faith in our leaders. I am totally grateful that our children and grandchildren will have clean drinking water. This movement has just begun, and we have more work to do, and more PFAS to ban. Thank you, President Biden and your administration, EPA and especially to our local advocates, who have spent endless time away from our families to help protect public health for all Americans.”
Arnie LeRiche, co-chair and co-founder, Wurtsmith Restoration Advisory Board (Oscoda, Mich.): “These six drinking water standards are a huge step forward in our national and local fight against direct human exposure to PFAS. Our communities in northern Michigan celebrate the completion of these six standards and the federal agencies such as President Biden and EPA.”
Brenda Hampton, administrator, Concerned Citizens of WMEL Water Authority (Courtland, Ala): “This is a fantastic day for the fight against PFAS. I discovered the effects and destruction these forever chemicals have caused humans and animals while living downstream from 27 industrial plants – including 3M, Daikin and Ascend.”
Adam Nordell, owner, Songbird Farm (Unity, Maine): “The EPA and the Biden administration should be applauded for taking courageous steps to get PFAS out of municipal drinking water supplies. The new MCLs will have cascading benefits measured in the improved health, quality of life and economic productivity of communities across the country who are currently suffering from the impacts of exposure to these chemicals.”
Cindy Boyle, advocate, Save Our Water (Marinette, Wis.): “Safer water and peace of mind are finally at hand, thanks to the Biden administration’s EPA and its persistent commitment to tackle a forever problem, PFAS! Wisconsin residents will finally be able to trust that their public drinking water is safe from six of the most well-researched PFAS compounds. While a third of Wisconsinites with private groundwater wells continue to advocate for the same protection, this critical EPA drinking water standard gives credence to our cries and brings us all one step closer to safe drinking water for all!”
Tamela Trussell, founder, Move Past Plastic (Carlisle, Pa.): “Whether fed with a bottle, breast milk, sippy cups or single-use plastic bottles, growing fetuses, babies, and children can not escape drinking PFAS. Because of the dedication of many advocates over 25 years, the EPA has finally set new PFAS maximum contamination levels for public drinking water. This is just the start of the actions needed to protect our most vulnerable population from health harm and lack of cognitive and physical vitality due to PFAS contamination.”
Alexis Luckey, executive director, Toxic Free North Carolina: “This is a turning point in the fight for environmental justice for North Carolina communities who have been drinking polluted water for decades. With these new standards for PFAS, EPA has taken a critical first step in beginning to address forever chemical contamination. There are thousands of forever chemicals yet to be regulated – we urge EPA to keep up the momentum. We all deserve safe, clean drinking water.”
Michelle Naccarati-Chapkis, executive director, Women for a Healthy Environment: “These legally enforceable MCLs for six PFAS in drinking water are critically important to protecting the health of communities across the country. Women for a Healthy Environment wishes to acknowledge and thank the Administration and EPA for taking this significant action. Unfortunately, we have experienced firsthand the tragedy of drinking water contamination due to PFAS. This regulation will also provide a positive step forward for those residents.”
Retired Lt. Col. Craig Minor: “The PFAS MCL rule today is a bold step forward by the EPA. The EPA’s low PFOS/PFOA hazardous substance concentration in drinking water speaks volumes about its toxicity to mankind and the environment. As our nation cleans up this toxic mess at military installations worldwide, we must now aggressively take care of the soldiers, civilians and their families who drank and handled PFOS/PFOA from firefighter foam while serving their fellow countrymen. It is time for all of us to help carry the wounded off the battlefield. We leave no person behind!!”
Avonna Starck, state director, Clean Water Action (Minn.): “The Clean Water Action Minnesota office applauds the EPA’s move to set MCLs for six PFAS in drinking water. We are grateful the Biden-Harris administration has prioritized the health and safety of all Americans by protecting our water. This is a positive step forward to a more sustainable future.”
Victoria Loong, policy manager, We the People of Detroit: “Today we the People of Detroit commend the Environmental Protection Agency for creating the nation’s first enforceable standards to regulate PFAS in our drinking water. Michigan and the Great Lakes Region are all too familiar with devastating water contamination issues. Industrial waste, agricultural runoff and lead contamination have plagued our water sources, and PFAS have proven to be a significant compounding threat. Research has shown that dangerous forever chemicals have entered our food chain, putting low-income populations and Black, Indigenous and People of Color at increased risk from consuming contaminated water and fish from U.S. water sources, including the Detroit River. We applaud this work and believe this rule, informed by significant public input and evidence-based research, is a critical step in protecting our nation's drinking water as we move towards a clean water future.”
Bill Tanger, chair, Friends of the Rivers of Virginia: “The existence of PFAS was not known for much time, in part due to the lack of standards. They are essential so that communities can know how much poison is in their water. FORVA strongly supports the EPA standards for PFAS. We need them desperately.”
Kristen Mello, co-founder, Westfield Residents Advocating For Themselves (Westfield, Mass.): “Today’s EPA announcement is a milestone for PFAS victims and advocates. PFAS manufacturers and the Department of Defense have known about the dangers of these toxic ‘forever chemicals’ for over 50 years. Establishing federal PFAS drinking water standards will finally bring some level of protection to Americans living in states where maximum contaminant levels for PFAS have not yet been promulgated.”
Rich Cogen, executive director, Ohio River Foundation: “Ohio River Foundation supports the promulgation of this PFAS rule and looks forward to review of future rules that are equally protective of public and environmental health.”
Sanja Whittington, director, Democracy Green: “Today is historic for our nation and the culmination of years of advocacy on the issue of PFAS contamination for so many across the U.S. In 2020, when Democracy Green, alongside others, filed a legal petition to the U.S. EPA calling for health effects studies data, we only dreamed of that being a reality one day. Now, today, with this announcement, it is. This is a historic major victory in the fight against PFAS contamination. This first-ever national drinking water standard will set a precedent for every local, state and national government agency to fight back against PFAS and win for the health of communities everywhere.”
Loreen Hackett, founder, PFOA Project N.Y.: “Since the news of the severe PFAS contamination in Hoosick Falls went national in 2015, then joined by too many more in the following time, community members have been working arduously to protect their and all families across the U.S. from these toxins. Joined by NGOs to push our advocacy, with the Biden administration our voices have finally been recognized on the dangers of PFAS. It’s been a long time coming to hear this incredible news that will put health in the forefront, right where it needs to be.”
Deborah Brown, founding member, Newburgh Clean Water Project: “Kudos to President Biden and the EPA leadership for putting public health ahead of profits. In particular, I applaud EPA leadership for insisting that the EPA do a job it was created to do – protect precious water supplies with state of the art science backed by funding so communities can operationalize protective rules. It’s time for government to serve people – not corporations – and to look after the welfare of all living things in our nation. That’s true leadership.”
Caroline Taylor, executive director, Montgomery Countryside Alliance: “Three cheers for the Biden administration making safe drinking water a priority. New standards for PFAS exposure coupled with necessary funding for local testing and treatment are a significant step forward in our collective goal to protect human lives.”
Robin Broder, deputy director, Waterkeepers Chesapeake: “The EPA’s new drinking water limits on PFAS chemicals will give tens of millions of people the protection they should have had decades ago. With these new limits, state regulators and water utilities can move forward to remove PFAS from our water resources, including restricting discharges from industrial sources. All efforts to turn off the tap of PFAS at its source need to be taken.”
Laura Anderko, Ph.D., R.N., Villanova University (Villanova, Pa): “The Biden administration should be applauded for this rule, which will protect millions of Americans from the toxic effects of PFAS, especially children. Thank you for making the public’s health a priority.”
Tracy Carluccio, deputy director, Delaware Riverkeeper Network: “This is an historic adoption of safe drinking water standards for some of the most dangerous and frequently found ‘forever chemicals’ that have plagued communities for decades – in some cases, generations. This is the first adoption of new MCLs by the federal government since 1996 and marks an enormous accomplishment for the people who have been impacted by PFAS and those who have fought so long and hard to get much-needed protection from these highly toxic compounds. Delaware Riverkeeper Network commends EPA for finally bringing this strict and science-based rule across the finish line. People have the right to safe drinking water and, with this federal rule, equal protection will soon be provided to all who rely on public water supplies in every state in the nation.”
Mary Grant, campaign director, Food and Water Watch: “At long last, the EPA has set enforceable limits to remove toxic forever chemicals from drinking water to help protect public health nationally. These regulations come after decades of community organizing and will save many lives. We commend the EPA for not bowing to industry pressure to weaken the regulations, but today’s action must mark the beginning – not the culmination – of its efforts to rein in these toxic PFAS.”
Peter Burress, government affairs manager, Wisconsin Conservation Voters: “Today’s announcement is an exciting victory for public health. These new public health-based standards confirm what we already knew to be true: PFAS are dangerous at extremely low levels. We are grateful to President Biden, Administrator Regan, and all of the hard-working staff at the EPA for their leadership on clean water. These standards will help get PFAS out of Wisconsin drinking water, and ensure Wisconsin communities are protected from a host of serious health impacts associated with PFAS contamination.”
Sarah Houston, executive director, Protect Our Aquifer: “Protect Our Aquifer is thankful for the leadership and commitment of the current EPA administration to finally draft rules limiting exposure to these harmful chemicals in our drinking water. We applaud EPA for staying true to this process and keeping public health centered in their work.”
Brian Ronholm, director of food policy, Consumer Reports: “The EPA’s new standards are a significant step that will help address widespread PFAS contamination in the drinking water we rely on every day. These standards will protect millions of Americans who are unwittingly exposed to dangerous forever chemicals in every glass of water they drink.”
Sarah Woodbury, vice president of programs and policy, Defend Our Health: “In 2022, EPA told us that there was no safe level of certain PFAS in drinking water, and today, the federal government is protecting communities all over the country living with ongoing exposure. We are grateful to the EPA and the Biden administration for taking this important step to protect public health by setting such strong standards for drinking water systems. Access to clean drinking water is a basic human right.”
Theo Daniels, research and policy associate, Rachel Carson Council: “Everyone deserves the right to have clean drinking water, no matter where they live. We commend Administrator Reagan for his quick action to benefit all Americans.”
Marc Yaggi, CEO, Waterkeeper Alliance: “We’re thrilled to see the EPA strengthen its rulemaking around PFAS in drinking water. It’s an historic moment that’s long overdue. It’s time for President Biden to clean up PFAS contamination in all of our waters and environment.”
Val Z. Schull, Ph.D., M.S., water equity and ocean program director, GreenLatinos: “We are grateful that this announcement comes with legally enforceable drinking water standards for six PFAS, which will mitigate these health risks and improve the well-being of the Latino community. The additional $1 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding for communities impacted by PFAS to be able to not only monitor drinking water but also implement treatment technologies are pivotal to ensuring everyone has clean and safe drinking water. We look forward to working with the administration, water systems and communities to ensure that impacted communities are not only informed about the safety of their drinking water but also that the solutions to this drinking water contamination do not further burden impacted communities with fronting the costs of these necessary actions.”
Joe Fitzgerald, policy and advocacy manager, Milwaukee Water Commons: “The EPA’s Maximum Contaminant Levels for PFAS in drinking water are an important signal to communities that have been experiencing the horrors of PFAS contamination for decades. Access to safe, clean drinking water is a basic human right that must be protected. Milwaukee Water Commons is celebrating this momentous action by EPA to prioritize the health of our communities and our environment.”
Katie Huffling, executive director, Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments: “Today’s release of National Primary Drinking Water Standards for PFAS is an important step toward fulfilling the Biden administration’s commitment to tackle these toxic forever chemicals as well as advance environmental justice. Communities of color and low-income communities have historically faced disproportionate exposure to pollution and cumulative adverse health effects from multiple co-occurring contaminants. By regulating dangerous PFAS in drinking water, these final standards will reduce PFAS exposure for approximately 100 million people, prevent thousands of deaths, and reduce tens of thousands of serious illnesses. As drinking water is a significant pathway of PFAS exposure, addressing contamination before it reaches our taps is key to reducing associated health problems. We therefore applaud EPA’s recognition that both individual PFAS and chemical mixtures of PFAS can threaten human health.”
Liz Kirkwood, executive director, For Love of Water: “Ensuring everyone has access to safe, affordable drinking water is a national priority. We commend EPA's effort to establish new standards for PFAs in Drinking Water as a first step in protecting people from PFA contamination. This work is only the beginning as there are more than 10,000 compounds in this chemical class that must be regulated. Establishing federal standards is more important than ever before because even in leading states like Michigan with established PFAs drinking water standards, corporate interests have challenged and successfully delayed these important protections.”
Rachel Doughty, founder, Greenfire Law, PC: “EPA's regulations of PFAS are a good start. Americans should not be exposed to harmful substances in their drinking water. We hope EPA will next look upstream to prevent the release of PFAS to the environment in the first place--to protect people, wildlife, and our natural resources, and place the cost of prevention and cleanup on those producing harmful chemicals.”
Lori Ann Burd, environmental health program director, Center for Biological Diversity: “We celebrate the EPA finally taking this long overdue step to regulate forever chemicals in our drinking water. But today's action is just a first step towards tackling this massive problem. Industrial polluters have gotten away with too much for too long. Now it is time for the EPA to turn to stopping PFAS pollution at its source.”
Justin Tramble, executive director, Tampa Bay Waterkeeper: “Tampa Bay Waterkeeper supports this significant milestone in our collective efforts to reduce the threat of PFAS. There will be a day where we look back at this moment as the time we stood up to this newfound threat facing our nation's drinking water. We applaud these enforceable drinking water standards to protect our communities from harmful forever chemicals.”
John Rumpler, senior attorney, Environment America Research & Policy Center: “The EPA is taking a vital step toward protecting our drinking water from the toxic scourge of PFAS – including assistance for rural Americans. Hopefully, this rule also reinforces the message that it is time to stop using these chemicals in the first place.” Statement
Charles Miller, policy director, Alabama Rivers Alliance: “Alabama Rivers Alliance applauds the finalization of new EPA limits on PFAS chemicals under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Limiting PFOA and PFOS in drinking water – two of the most-studied substances in the PFAS chemical class – is welcome news to communities throughout Alabama, the Southeast, and the United States who have had their health and their livelihoods threatened by these persistent and toxic ‘forever chemicals.’ Likewise, a “hazard index” that limits acceptable levels of four other PFAS chemicals, PFNA, PFHxS, PFBS, and GenX, in drinking water is a welcome addition that acknowledges the uncertainty surrounding the cumulative health and environmental impacts of different PFAS chemicals.” Statement
Katelyn Scott, attorney, Spokane Riverkeeper: “Spokane Riverkeeper strongly supports the implementation of the PFAS MCL rule. This historic announcement will have profound effects on our community, especially those in the West Plains that have been greatly impacted by PFAS contamination in their drinking water. The nationwide standard for PFAS in drinking water is an enormous win for public health. But there is still more to go to stop PFAS pollution at its source. Now that EPA has finalized these limits for drinking water, they should quickly move to regulate industrial discharges of PFAS into water to help ensure that polluters are held responsible for releasing these toxics into our waterways.”
Deborah January-Bevers, president, Houston Wilderness: “Houston Wilderness, a 15-county regional environmental policy organization in the Houston, Texas area, supports the EPA’s new national legally enforceable drinking water standard for PFAS, which will protect as many as 100 million people from PFAS exposure, prevent tens of thousands of serious illnesses, and save lives. We appreciate this critical work that EPA has embarked on for many years as an important piece of the long term strategy to reduce these types of contaminants in our land and water systems.”
Ariana Spentzos, science and policy associate, Green Science Policy Institute: “This is a watershed moment in the fight against PFAS pollution. Not only does this mean healthier water for millions of Americans, but it also signals that the administration is taking a science-driven approach to tackle this problem. The EPA is taking a critical step by cleaning up existing PFAS water contamination, but we also need to focus on preventing additional contamination. We need to turn off the tap and protect future generations by phasing out all non-essential uses of all PFAS in products as soon as possible.”
Aaron McCall, federal advocacy coordinator, California Environmental Voters: “Today’s groundbreaking federal standards will address concerns for over 200 million Americans, raising the bar for state and local water boards to determine what is acceptable for clean drinking water. This move is crucial given the health risks, especially to vulnerable groups like children and pregnant women, and the disproportionate impact on communities of color. Recognizing drinking water as a major source of PFAS exposure, this marks a significant step in protecting public health and the environment. President Biden's commitment to cleaner water and accountability for polluters will ensure safer communities and a healthier future for all.”
Dan Whitten, president, SC Native Plant Society: “Americans need protection against carcinogens such as PFAS's in ground and drinking water. We appreciate all you do for regulations and enforcements.
Betsy Southerland, former director, EPA’s Office of Science and Technology and volunteer with the Environmental Protection Network: “Today, 100 million Americans will know that toxic PFAS contaminants in their drinking water will finally be removed. Despite enormous pressure to weaken the first national PFAS drinking water standards, EPA finalized them as proposed, restricting 6 PFAS chemicals individually and in combination with each other. Now EPA and the states need to accelerate their efforts to stop ongoing PFAS releases to our land, air, and water and to clean up existing PFAS contamination.” Statement
