Following an announcement from the Environmental Protection Agency bringing an end to regulations on multiple types of PFAS in drinking water, members of the Great Lakes PFAS Action Network are speaking out, warning the decision could threaten the safety and health of millions of people across the nation.
“The EPA has the fundamental role of creating and enforcing safeguards for our water. Today’s action by the Trump EPA does just the opposite,” Sandy Wynn-Stelt, co-chair of the Great Lakes PFAS Action Network said in a statement. “Drinking water contaminated with toxic PFAS chemicals is linked to numerous health impacts and threatens the health of communities in Michigan and beyond. We are calling on members of Congress to do everything they can to oppose these rollbacks and protect our drinking water from toxic PFAS contamination.”
In April 2024, the EPA finalized drinking water standards, creating legally enforceable maximum contaminant levels for multiple types of PFAS — also known as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances — and setting hazard index contaminant levels for mixtures containing two or more of the following substances: PFHxS, PFNA, HGPO-DA or PFBS.
Under these regulations, public water systems were required to adopt PFAS monitoring and compliance practices by 2027, and implement solutions to reduce PFAS levels above the maximum contaminant levels by 2029 or face penalties for violations.
However, the EPA on Wednesday said that it would rescind the maximum contaminant levels for three types of PFAS: PFHxS, PFNA and HFPO-DA which is commonly known as GenX. It would also eliminate the hazard index levels for the named PFAS mixtures.
While the EPA will maintain the 4 parts per-trillion limit for PFOS and PFOA, the agency plans to extend the compliance deadline from 2029 to 2031.
PFAS are often called forever chemicals, as the substances break down very slowly. They have been tied to several health issues including increased risk for prostate, kidney and testicular cancers, harms to the immune system, decreased fertility, high blood pressure in pregnant women and developmental delays or effects on children.
While Michigan has its own PFAS regulations, the EPA’s rules created a stricter standard than what was required by the state, with the Great Lakes PFAS Action Network warning the decision would have devastating effects on Michigan communities, especially those already facing PFAS contamination.
Members of the National Wildlife Federation, a member of the coalition, further criticized the decision for its impact on wildlife, arguing the decision ignores evidence of the harms these chemicals bring.
“The science is clear: Toxic forever chemicals are dangerous for people and wildlife alike — rescinding recent, historic standards makes no sense,” Rebecca Meuninck, Great Lakes Regional Executive Director for the National Wildlife Federation said in a statement. “The EPA is ignoring strong science that shows these chemicals harm people, wildlife, and the environment. Delaying action on any PFAS only allows further contamination of our waters and wildlife.”
