Public health advocates are worried about the fate of regulations to rein in “forever chemicals” if former president Donald Trump wins reelection in November.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are human-made chemicals that do not degrade naturally and have been linked to serious human health problems. Used to make nonstick pans, firefighting foam and other products, the chemicals have spread across the globe and have been found in nearly half of U.S. tap water.
Former members of the Trump administration say that EPA under his watch laid the groundwork for the Biden administration’s efforts to address PFAS contamination.
But health advocates say the Trump administration downplayed the risks of the chemicals, was slow to take action on PFAS and tried to slash funding for research on human health impacts.
