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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a PFAS Action Plan, spearheaded by EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, to address the growing concerns over per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
As part of the policy toolbox to tackle PFAS contamination, the plan includes the first, not the last of decisions and actions over the course of the Trump Administration.
A Robust Science-Driven Framework
The EPA emphasizes the commitment to a science-driven solution, which provides the foundation for addressing PFAS contamination. The key actions include:
Appoint a dedicated PFAS agency to oversee all agency initiatives related to the chemicals, ensuring coordinated efforts across departments
Implement a PFAS testing strategy under TSCA Section 4 to seek scientific information informed by hazard characteristics and exposure pathways
Reinforce the air-related PFAS information collection and measurement techniques related to air emissions
Improve the effectiveness of PFAS treatment technologies
Address existing knowledge gaps hindering the measurement and control of all PFAS
Enhance Regulatory Enforcement
EPA will enforce strict controls to prevent PFAS from entering water supplies, air, and soil. The key actions are outlined below:
Develop effluent limitations guidelines (ELGs) for PFAS manufacturers
Add PFAS to the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI)
Utilize the authority of Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act to address PFAS contamination
Implement risk prioritization on new and existing PFAS chemicals
Leverage TSCA section 8(a)7 on PFAS reporting to meet data collection needs while easing burdens on small businesses by providing extra time to fulfill reporting obligations
The agency will collaborate with Congress and industries to create a polluter-pays framework, requiring those responsible for contamination to fund cleanup efforts and protect "downstream" communities.
