Clean-water advocates are criticizing the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to roll back six Biden-era rules on PFAS, the group of substances commonly known as “forever chemicals.”

The federal government wants to reissue narrower rules in Michigan and elsewhere for four PFAS substances, arguing the rulemaking process was legally flawed. The EPA also would give companies and water agencies two additional years to comply with rules for two other chemicals.

Maria Doa, senior director of chemical policy for the Environmental Defense Fund, called the move “outrageous.”

“The federal government should be protecting us rather than supporting the economic interests who are profiting by this," Doa said, "and the federal government should not be putting profit ahead of our health.”

Michigan currently monitors more than 10,000 potential contamination sites. PFAS concentrations have been found at sites including the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda, along the Huron River watershed, and in raw source water and groundwater around industrial centers.

Health officials warn exposure can harm a developing fetus and lead to cancer, liver disease and thyroid disease.

Doa said the current EPA leadership includes several former chemical industry lobbyists, which she views as a conflict of interest. She said there is no verifiable scientific evidence to substantiate the changes being made.

“The information on these chemicals is so strong, there’s just absolutely no justification for pulling this back," Doa said, "and they’re using tortured legal argument to do that.”

The EPA is taking written comments through July 20 online at regulations.gov. The agency is also holding a virtual public comment hearing July 7.

Source: Public News Service