PFAS in America: Environmental Risks and Regulatory Setbacks
Asher Daniel ’28
Tonnam Jongcharoensiri ’28
Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, also known as PFAS chemicals, have become a major point of discussion in both environmental and health circles. Firstly, it is essential to understand what PFAS chemicals are; these chemicals have been used in various products, including cookware, plastics, cosmetics, and paint (NIEHS, 2023). They are particularly difficult to eliminate due to their complex chemical structure, which makes them resistant to breaking down. Thus, they persist when leaked into water supplies and also have been linked to adverse health effects (US EPA, 2016).
Multiple federal agencies have been tasked with regulating and researching PFAS chemicals; however, the EPA is primarily responsible for regulating these chemicals. The EPA has attempted across multiple administrations, including the first Trump administration and the Biden administration, to limit all companies' ability to both use and dispose of PFAS chemicals (Brennan, 2021). Often, companies will simply release water contaminated with PFAS chemicals into water supplies. The EPA has tried to regulate these practices, but has faced multiple lawsuits by companies (PFAS in Drinking Water, 2025). Due to the lack of funding and direction from the administration's EPA, much of this regulation has been restricted. The recent regulations have been challenged in a lawsuit that is ongoing, American Water Works Association v. EPA, and the EPA has moved away from its promises to ensure the American water supply is clear of PFAS chemicals, pushing back the deadline to 2031 (Huang, 2025).
The recent changes by the new administration have led to the EPA loosening the deadlines for clean water and becoming less harsh on punishments for companies that pollute water supplies with PFAS chemicals. Along with a decrease in funding, all these factors have made it more difficult for the EPA to continue enforcement (Huang, 2025).
In conclusion, recent lawsuits against the EPA, lack of funding, and a change in the administration's policy have propelled a lack of focus on PFAS chemicals and left a large problem for Americans unchanged and ignored.
References
Brennan, N. M., Evans, A. T., Fritz, M. K., Peak, S. A., & Von Holst, H. E. (2021). Trends in the regulation of per- and
polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): a scoping review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(20),
Huang, P. (2024, June 21). The EPA’s new limits on PFAS in drinking water face legal challenges. NPR.
https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2024/06/21/nx-s1-5013957/pfas-forever-chemicals-drinking-water-rule-lawsuits
Matza, M. (2025, March 1). Cuts to US national parks and forests spark outrage. BBC News.
