PFAS "Forever Chemicals" are a category of widely used compounds, particularly prevalent in contaminating drinking water sources. PFAS can take hundreds of years to degrade in the environment which is why they are often referred to as ‘forever chemicals" and can cause a plethora of illnesses including cancer.

PFAS chemicals in drinking water are currently not Federally regulated. Regulatory agencies, scientists, advocacy groups, and industry have all provided perspectives regarding what they consider safe. Our science and policy Nerds unpack what this may mean for you. 

Over 60% of leftover sewage waste or "biosolids" are used by farmers to fertilize crops in the U.S. A recent study found that a category of cancer-causing chemicals called PFAS were present in a majority of the fertilizing sludge - impacting food, livestock, and ultimately drinking water. Farmers expect that the biosolids coming from municipalities are entirely safe to use on their crops. Consumers also have this same expectation when buying produce at the grocery store. The reality is that municipalities don't even know the extent of what's hiding in sewage biosolids, but continue to encourage farmers to use it. Here's everything you need to know about biosolids and why farmers are still allowed to use it. 

PFAS (Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) PFAS contamination in drinking water and the environment has been linked to a wide range of health issues. This article discusses some of the most recent studies completed from around the world, and provides links to the peer-reviewed articles for these studies.

Analies Dyjak, M.A. | Head of Policy and Perspectives   

The Environmental Protection Agency announced on Monday, October 18, that the agency will prioritize a comprehensive national strategy to confront PFAS pollution. The Biden-Harris administration campaigned on setting limits in tap water for PFAS and ensuring other actionable protection measures for public health. The PFAS “roadmap”  also includes a summary of recent proposals and recommendations from EPA and Congress. 

What Does EPA's PFAS Roadmap Contain?

The roadmap consists of plans for both rulemaking and monitoring guidelines, but does not have any enforceable criteria. This EPA publication is simply a strategic plan for implementation, not a final rule. The seven actions are as follows:

• Timeline for nationwide enforceable drinking water limits for PFAS in tap water under the Safe Drinking Water Act. 

• Designating PFAS as a “hazardous substance” under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), also known as Superfund. This designation will help hold polluters financially responsible for contaminating source water.

• A timeline for Effluent Guideline Limitations for nine different industrial categories. 

• An assessment of shortcomings of the Toxic Substances Control Act and its ability to protect public health.

• An increase in monitoring, data collection, and research.

• A final toxicity assessment for GenX.

• Technical foundation for PFAS air emissions under the Clean Air Act. 

Too Little Too Late?

Hydroviv has been covering PFAS in drinking water since our company began in 2016. Since then, virtually no action has been taken by the EPA or Congress regarding this category of chemicals that is known to cause cancer. The press release for this latest roadmap even stated that the EPA has known about the toxic nature of PFAS chemicals for over 20 years. The impacts of PFAS have now extended across multiple generations, when in all likelihood, this could have been avoided. 

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