The Biden-Harris Administration has made significant strides in addressing the issue of PFAS contamination across the United States. Under their leadership, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has implemented measures to protect individuals from perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances found in water and daily life. These efforts are outlined in the EPA's third annual progress report, which highlights achievements through its PFAS Strategic Roadmap.
Michael S. Regan, EPA Administrator, stated, "Before President Biden took office, the federal government was not doing enough to address PFAS contamination nationwide. Since then, the Biden-Harris Administration has taken unprecedented steps to develop science, implement strong standards, and invest billions in solutions to protect all Americans against these forever chemicals."
PFAS pose a significant threat to public health and the environment. Communities nationwide are discovering these chemicals in air, land, and water. Scientific evidence indicates that exposure to certain PFAS can lead to serious health risks such as cancer even at low levels. In 2021, Regan established the EPA Council on PFAS and tasked it with developing a strategic roadmap for addressing PFAS contamination.
Key advances under the Biden-Harris Administration include:
- Protecting drinking water: In 2024, the EPA announced enforceable national drinking water standards for PFAS. The final rule aims to reduce exposure for approximately 100 million people and prevent thousands of deaths while reducing severe illnesses.
- Investing in projects: Through President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, $10 billion is being invested by the EPA to remove PFAS from water supplies. Most funds assist communities in installing new infrastructure and treatment technologies.
- Cleaning up land contamination: The EPA finalized a rule designating PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances under CERCLA or Superfund law, ensuring polluters bear cleanup costs instead of taxpayers.
- Advancing chemical safety: Measures have been taken under various laws to protect against PFAS risks for vulnerable subpopulations.
- Safeguarding waterways: The EPA developed methods for measuring PFAS in different environments and set criteria for protecting aquatic life.
- Enforcement and compliance: A policy focusing on major contributors rather than entities like farms or utilities was established along with a National Enforcement Initiative targeting PFAS exposure.
- Understanding PFAS: Numerous research programs were initiated to enhance scientific understanding of these chemicals.
- Reducing PFAS use: Efforts were made to eliminate them from commerce broadly rather than individually. Collaborations with agencies like GSA aim at removing them from government contracts.
The administration's progress is deemed unprecedented as they continue advancing science related to PFAS while partnering with states and local leaders for effective implementation of solutions ensuring public safety from potential contamination threats.
Read more about the EPA's commitments in their 2021-2024 Strategic Roadmap for Action on PFAS (in English).
