Environmental advocates brace for possible rollback of PFAS standards

By Lucy Hodgman | Times Union | April 11, 2025

Read the full article by Lucy Hodgman (Times Union)

"Trade groups are suing to overturn federal standards on “forever chemicals” in drinking water, a move environmental advocates say could impact at least 189 water systems in New York. 

Polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are often used to manufacture household and manufacturing products that are resistant to heat, water or grease. They’re hard to destroy and have been linked to fertility problems, developmental disabilities and certain forms of cancer. Regulators from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have warned that virtually any level of PFAS contamination is enough to make water unsafe to drink.

A year ago, then-President Joe Biden’s administration set a sweeping federal standard that capped the allowable level of the chemicals in drinking water at 4 parts per trillion. That’s a more stringent standard than in New York, where the cap for the chemicals is set at 10 parts per trillion."

Location:

• North AmericaUS
• North AmericaUSNew York

Topics:

• ChemicalsPFAS
• SourcesManufacturing facilities
• ImpactDrinking water
• ImpactDrinking waterPrivate wells
• Health
• AgenciesEPA
• Measurement Techniques
• Monitoring Data
• PFAS Uses