In a move sure to ignite debate, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced last week that it will relax limits on certain harmful per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as “forever chemicals,” found in drinking water. The decision arrives roughly a year after the Biden administration established national standards aimed at reducing exposure to these persistent and potentially dangerous chemicals.

The EPA’s new plan will remove limits on specific types of PFAS and also extend the compliance deadline for two of the most prevalent varieties, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), to 2031. PFAS are widely used in a variety of products, including non-stick cookware and firefighting foam, and have raised serious concerns due to their ability to accumulate in the body and their association with health problems like kidney disease and certain types of cancer.

While the EPA will maintain the existing limits for PFOA and PFOS, the extension of the compliance deadline has drawn criticism from environmental advocacy groups. These groups argue that the EPA lacks the legal authority to weaken existing regulations designed to protect public health. Meanwhile, industry representatives have offered a mixed response. Some utilities have expressed gratitude for the extended timeframe to meet the stricter limits, but are also advocating for higher allowable levels of PFOA and PFOS in drinking water.

The EPA’s decision is expected to be the subject of intense scrutiny and legal challenges in the coming months, as stakeholders on all sides grapple with the balance between environmental protection and the practical challenges of removing these pervasive chemicals from our water supply.