Pending PFAS Legislation Might Not Do Enough To Protect U.S. Consumers
Despite apparent legislative progress on one of the most pressing drinking water contamination issues in recent history, environmental advocates are warning that it could send the fight against these dangerous substances in the wrong direction.
“A bipartisan pair of senators is … looking to tackle a class of chemicals called PFAS that are known to linger in the environment and have been linked to health issues including cancer, weakened immune systems and high cholesterol,” The Hill reported. “However, a draft bill they released faces pushback from green groups — who say it may actually make the problem worse.”
On the bright side, there does seem to be growing consensus that PFAS are incredibly widespread in drinking water and regulators are making more concerted efforts to protect consumers. As new rules to limit PFAS presence in wastewater and drinking water arrive, however, there are ongoing issues with implementing them.
In this case, environmental groups fear the draft bill makes too many exemptions from pollution cleanup and liability and would not adequately cover all the substances that should fall under the “PFAS” designation.
“Environmental groups … took issue with the definition the bill gives for PFAS, saying that it excludes too many of the substances — of which there are thousands — and could set a dangerous precedent for future rules,” according to The Hill.
And limits with pending legislation aren’t the only obstacle in removing PFAS from drinking water and the environment. As public and regulatory sentiment builds against this contaminant class, the manufacturers that utilize it in their products are fighting back.
“The U.S. chemical industry likely spent over $110M during the last two election cycles deploying lobbyists to kill dozens of pieces of PFAS legislation and slow administrative regulation around ‘forever chemicals,’” per The Guardian.
Facing numerous headwinds and challenges even as legislation gains bipartisan support, it’s clear there is a long road ahead in ridding drinking water of PFAS. Treatment operations will have to stay tuned as new rules take shape and the fight continues.
To read more about laws that impact drinking water and wastewater utilities, visit Water Online’s Regulations And Legislation Solutions Center.