The EPA is continuing its work to address PFAS in the United States through a new PFAS Strategic Roadmap released this fall. PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) is a class of widely used, long lasting chemicals, components of which break down very slowly over time. On October 18, 2021, EPA Administrator Michael Regan laid out a series of timelines by which the EPA plans to take actions to protect public health and the environment for the harmful effects of PFAS.
Part of the roadmap includes bolder policies to hold polluters accountable and to implement more long term solutions to protect communities from PFAS contamination. The new approach will be centered on 5 principles:
- Considering the lifecycle of PFAS and the multiple pathways for exposure
- Getting upstream of the problem to prevent PFAS from entering the environment in the first place
- Holding polluters accountable for their actions
- Ensuring science-based decision-making
- Prioritizing protection of disadvantaged communities
As part of the new plan, the EPA is beginning a national engagement effort including public webinars and stakeholder listening sessions, as well as engaging all offices within the agency to be part of the solutions.
With many thousands of PFAS chemicals, found in many different consumer, commercial, and industrial products, it is a challenge to study and assess all of the potential human health and environmental risks. Through this new plan, the concrete actions of the EPA will include more research and well as prevention and the remediation of PFAS contamination that has already occurred.
Stay up to date on the EPA’s progress and learn more about PFAS at https://www.epa.gov/pfas.
