WASHINGTON – Today, April 19, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a critical rule to designate two widely used PFAS chemicals, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), also known as Superfund. This action aims to clean up PFAS contamination in communities and protect public health from the harmful effects of these substances.
EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan emphasized the importance of this rule, stating, "President Biden understands the threat that 'forever chemicals' pose to the health of families across the country." The designation of PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances under CERCLA will enable EPA to address contaminated sites more effectively, take earlier action, and expedite cleanups, ensuring that polluters bear the costs of cleaning up pollution that threatens communities.
Ken Cook, President and co-founder of Environmental Working Group, expressed his support for the rule, saying, "It’s long past time for the polluters who poisoned all of us to be held responsible." He highlighted the significance of holding polluters accountable for the environmental harm caused by PFAS contamination.
Dr. Tracey Woodruff from the University of California, San Francisco, commended the EPA's action, stating, "This is another important step by EPA to protect people and communities from harmful PFAS chemicals." She emphasized the importance of cleaning up hazardous waste sites contaminated with PFOA and PFOS, particularly in low-income and communities of color, to safeguard public health from the adverse effects of these toxic substances.
The final rule also mandates that federal entities provide notice about the storage, release, or disposal of PFOA or PFOS on their property when transferring or selling it. Additionally, the Department of Transportation will regulate these substances as hazardous materials under the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act.
The Biden-Harris Administration's efforts to address PFAS contamination align with EPA's PFAS Strategic Roadmap, focusing on protecting public health, preventing cancer, and ensuring accountability for polluters. This critical action underscores the administration's commitment to safeguarding communities from the dangers of PFAS chemicals and advancing environmental justice.
