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A rollback of environmental protections: Trump withdraws EPA’s PFAS limits

By willowt // 2025-01-30

• President Donald Trump's administration has withdrawn a critical EPA draft rule that aimed to limit toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in industrial wastewater, reversing environmental progress made under the Biden administration.
• PFAS, linked to cancer, liver damage and immune system dysfunction, are a growing health crisis. The EPA has identified over 120,000 potential exposure sites, highlighting the widespread nature of the contamination.
• Environmental and health advocates, including Kyla Bennett and Melanie Benesh, criticize the decision as a betrayal of public health and a setback in regulating toxic substances, potentially allowing polluters to continue contaminating water and communities.
• This move is part of a series of environmental rollbacks under the Trump administration, including withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement and encouraging drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
• The lack of federal regulation leaves communities, especially those near industrial sites like the Clover Flat landfill in California, at risk of PFAS contamination in their water sources, exacerbating health and environmental concerns.

In a move that has sparked widespread concern among environmental and health advocates, President Donald Trump's administration has withdrawn a critical draft rule aimed at limiting toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in industrial wastewater. The draft, which the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sent to the White House for review in June 2024, was seen as a significant step toward addressing the growing health crisis posed by these "forever chemicals."

A national health crisis ignored

PFAS, a class of chemicals linked to an array of health problems including cancer, liver damage and immune system dysfunction, has been a growing concern for decades. The EPA's initial proposal, which would have applied to about 13 facilities, was a modest but crucial step in a broader effort to regulate these toxic substances. Kyla Bennett, director of science policy at Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, minced no words in her criticism: "It is abundantly clear that this action was taken to benefit the chemical industry — and every American will suffer for it." Bennett's statement underscores the deep dismay felt by many who see this move as a betrayal of public health. The EPA itself has identified more than 120,000 facility sites around the U.S. where people may be exposed to PFAS. This number, which is four times larger than previously reported, highlights the widespread nature of the contamination. "PFAS contamination is already a national health crisis, and this will force states to try and fill the regulatory void left by EPA’s failure," Bennett added.

The impact on communities and the environment

The withdrawal of the PFAS limits will have far-reaching consequences. Melanie Benesh, vice president for government affairs at the Environmental Working Group (EWG), described the decision as a "devastating setback" that "not only delays establishing critical federal standards but also sends a dangerous message giving polluters a green light to continue poisoning our water and communities without fear of consequence." The implications are particularly dire for communities living near industrial sites. For example, the Clover Flat landfill in Calistoga, California, has been a source of PFAS contamination, with water samples showing the presence of these chemicals in every single sample taken. Dennis Kelly, a Napa Valley resident living downhill from the landfill, expressed his fears: "The water is full of foam and looks soapy and smells funny. Pollution is going to be what kills us all." Geoffrey Ellsworth, mayor of St. Helena in Napa County, echoed these concerns: "Multiple streams cross the landfill property, helping rains and erosion drive the chemical contaminants downhill into creeks and other water sources, including some used to irrigate farmland." The lack of federal regulation exacerbates the problem, leaving communities to fend for themselves.

A call to action

The Trump administration's decision to withdraw the PFAS limits is a significant setback in the fight against environmental contamination and a clear indication of the administration's priorities. While the EPA claims that this is a "common transition procedure," the reality is that it leaves millions of Americans at risk. As the debate over environmental policy continues, it is crucial for citizens, advocacy groups and state governments to remain vigilant and push for stronger protections. The health and well-being of future generations depend on it. Sources include: ChildrenHealthDefense.org EWG.org TheGuardian.com

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