PFAS water protections face legal threat under new EPA head

By Staff Report | FingerLakes1.com | April 12, 2025

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"Environmental advocates are on high alert as federal PFAS standards face a court challenge and potential rollback under new EPA leadership, according to a report by Times Union. Nearly 200 New York water systems could be affected if the Biden-era cap on “forever chemicals” is weakened.

Trade groups argue the strict 4 parts per trillion PFAS limit is too costly and scientifically flawed. The EPA, now led by Trump appointee Lee Zeldin, has paused its legal defense as it reevaluates the rule. Advocates fear Zeldin could reverse regulations he once supported as a congressman.

If federal protections are dropped, advocates are urging New York to adopt its own stricter limits to protect roughly 1.3 million residents."

Topics:

• ChemicalsPFAS