EPA's "forever chemical" rollback could impact Michigan
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The EPA aims to roll back Biden-era limits on some "forever chemicals" in drinking water, in a move that would impact Michigan and other states.
Why it matters: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of chemicals used in nonstick and fire-resistant products that are widespread in U.S. tap water. They've been linked to cancers, as well as immune and developmental damage in children.
State of play: Some of the federal rules are more stringent than Michigan's, meaning weakening them could result in fewer protections here, MSU assistant professor and PFAS researcher Courtney Carignan told Axios in an email.
- Michigan is among just 10 states that have set enforceable maximum levels for these chemicals, after the state's PFAS crisis went unaddressed for many years.
Driving the news: President Trump's EPA will "rescind and reconsider" limits for four PFAS types that were set under President Biden's administration, the Washington Post first reported this week.
- The agency says it is working to protect Americans from common PFAS chemicals while allowing more time flexibility for compliance, including for rural areas with small systems.
Friction point: Democratic U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, a PFAS regulation advocate, said yesterday she has experienced the threat of PFAS in Michigan and it took fighting to get the national rules.
- "Rescinding this standard means more Americans will be poisoned and harmful PFAS contamination will continue to spread," her statement said.
Last year's federal rules were the first of their kind, aimed at preventing PFAS exposure by establishing maximum amounts of PFAS that can be found in public water systems before action must be taken. They received pushback from groups representing water utilities that called them costly and said they would lead to higher bills.
- The rules addressed six PFAS substances and gave public water systems until 2029 to implement solutions.
Zoom in: In the cases of some PFAS chemicals, the federal limits were more strict than Michigan's.
- For example, the federal maximum level for one chemical commonly known as GenX is 10 parts per trillion, while Michigan's is 370 parts per trillion.
Under its new plans, the EPA says it'll rescind and reconsider the regulations covering four of the chemical types, keeping the limits on two. Plus, it'll extend that deadline to 2031.
What they're saying: "Delay or weakening of the federal PFAS (maximum levels) means that water utilities in most states will not be required to remove these harmful contaminants from drinking water," MSU's Carignan said in the email. "Enforceable (maximums) are especially urgent to protect pregnant women and infants."