The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is proposing steps to protect communities from the health risks posed by specific polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
The proposal applies to perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, which "may present a substantial danger to human health or welfare or the environment," according to an Aug. 26 news release. The chemicals can "accumulate and persist in the human body for long periods of time and evidence from laboratory animal and human epidemiology studies indicates exposure may lead to cancer, reproductive, developmental, cardiovascular, liver and immunological effects."
“Communities have suffered far too long from exposure to these forever chemicals," EPA Administrator Michael Regan said in the release. "The action announced today will improve transparency and advance EPA’s aggressive efforts to confront this pollution, as outlined in the Agency’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap.”
EPA is recommending two of the most popular PFAS be classified as hazardous substances under CERCLA, popularly known as Superfund, the release reported. Increased transparency on the discharge of these dangerous chemicals would result from this rulemaking, which would also assist in holding polluters responsible for cleaning up their contamination.
"Under this proposed rule, EPA will both help protect communities from PFAS pollution and seek to hold polluters accountable for their actions," Regan added, according to the release.
