The EPA responded to the New Mexico governor and acted to address PFAS under a new hazardous waste law.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico petitioned the EPA to tackle PFAS contamination, citing the Resource Conservation & Recover Act (RCRA).
“We can only make progress for communities suffering from PFAS pollution if we work collaboratively across levels of government and harness our collective resources and authority," Michael S. Regan, EPA Administrator, said in a press release.
The petition made by Lujan Grisham was the first of its kind. As a response to the petition, the EPA initiated two new rulemakings. The rulemakings by the EPA will take place nationally, and are expected to change once PFAS are managed and cleaned under federal law.
The EPA said in a press release that they strive to use the best science available in the formation of new rules. PFAS are artificially created chemicals that include PFOA, PFOS, PFBS and GenX amongst other chemicals. PFA's have been created in the United States for more than 70 years, since the 1940s.
These chemicals do not break down over time, according to an EPA press release, and scientific evidence suggests that they are harmful to the health of humans. The new rules ensure that they will be officially categorized as hazardous waste.
