Trump administration proposes removal of strict regulations against ‘forever toxins’ in water

Donald Trump's administration has announced a controversial plan to scrap his predecessor Joe Biden’s limits on ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water.

The Environmental Protection Agency announced plans on Monday (18 May) to repeal the current limits on four types of PFAs, while delaying regulations on another two.

For context, PFAs (per-and poly fluoroalkyl substances) are a chemical family consisting of at least 5,000 individual substances.

They are sometimes referred to as ‘forever chemicals’ because of their persistence in the environment.

The EPA previously concluded that they have been linked to cancer, obesity, thyroid disease, high cholesterol, decreased fertility, liver damage, hormone disruption, and damage to the immune system.

They’re used to manufacture many domestic products, due to their ability to repel both grease and water.

The news of the proposed changes was announced during a press conference on Monday, in which the EPA administrator, Lee Zeldin, and US health secretary, Robert F Kennedy Jr, revealed their plan.

Zeldin said: “The Trump EPA is committed to Make America Healthy Again by ensuring clean air, land, and water – and by taking on Pfas the right way, across the full life cycle and built to last.”

The Trump administration wants to repeal the current limits on four types of PFAs (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

He added: “That means rules grounded in gold-standard science and the Safe Drinking Water Act, support for water systems on the front lines, and action to stop PFAS pollution at the source before it ever reaches a tap.

“The Biden administration cut corners and failed to follow the law. We are fixing that error with standards water systems can actually implement and that will hold up to scrutiny, while addressing PFOA and PFOS, two of the best-studied PFAS with well-documented health impacts.”

Now, after accusing Biden of ‘cutting corners’ when he established the landmark limits on six of the substances in 2024, the EPA and Trump administration have outlined plans to ‘rescind and restart’ regulations on four PFAS.

CNN reports that these chemicals include perfluorononanoate (PFNA), perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), and hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA).

However, the rule change proposal needs to go through a lengthy approval process that could take years and be challenged in court.

The proposed plans were announced by the EPA on Monday (Getty Stock Image)

The proposed regulations are now open for two months of public comment before being finalized, The Independent reports.

Public health advocates have condemned the proposed changes, including Dr Anna Reade, director of Pfas advocacy at Natural Resources Defense Council.

As reported by The Guardian, she warned: “Zeldin and Kennedy are trying to sell potions out of the back of a covered wagon. The millions of Americans demanding safe drinking water are not going to fall for their hocus pocus.”

While David Andrews, chief science officer for the Environmental Working Group, told The Washington Post: "I don’t see how you put a positive light on this.

"Ultimately, I see this as a betrayal of public health and the mission of making America healthier. Safe and clean drinking water should be a right for everyone in this country.”

Tyla has contacted the White House and the EPA for comment.