North Carolina, New Jersey, and New Mexico Urge Action on “Forever Chemicals”
Three US states have formally petitioned the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate air emissions of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as “forever chemicals.” This petition, filed by North Carolina, New Jersey, and New Mexico, marks a significant step in the ongoing fight against the environmental and health threats posed by PFAS.
Until now, the federal government has largely concentrated its regulatory efforts on PFAS water pollution. However, these states are urging the EPA to designate certain PFAS compounds as hazardous air pollutants, advocating for stricter regulation under the Clean Air Act. The petition specifically targets four PFAS chemicals: PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, and GenX. The EPA has 18 months to respond.
The Growing Threat of PFAS Pollution
PFAS are synthetic chemicals used in various industrial applications due to their water-, grease-, and stain-resistant properties. With an estimated 15,000 different compounds, they are used in everyday items such as non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, and food packaging. PFAS are persistent in the environment, earning the name “forever chemicals” because they do not naturally degrade. As a result, they accumulate in ecosystems, wildlife, and human bodies over time.
Mounting evidence links PFAS exposure to serious health issues. Studies have shown that PFAS are associated with cancer, birth defects, decreased immune function, high cholesterol, and kidney disease. Contamination from PFAS is becoming a national concern as these chemicals are detected in water supplies, soil, and even food.
Airborne PFAS Contamination: A Regional Crisis
The petition highlights how PFAS emissions are not just a water issue. North Carolina’s Chemours plant, which produces GenX, has been identified as a significant source of PFAS air pollution. A recent investigation by The Guardian found that the Chemours facility in Fayetteville, North Carolina, is likely emitting much higher levels of PFAS into the air than previously disclosed. These airborne chemicals are thought to contaminate the surrounding soil, water, and even food supplies over hundreds of square miles.
North Carolina regulators have established a direct connection between the Chemours plant’s emissions and PFAS contamination in private drinking water wells across a 27-square-mile area. Meanwhile, a similar problem has been identified across a 67-square-mile region in another state. Alarmingly, GenX has even been detected in rainwater as far as 90 miles away in Wilmington, North Carolina, suggesting the wide dispersion of PFAS through air pollution.
Emily Donovan, co-founder of the Clean Cape Fear advocacy group, called the petition a “good first step,” emphasizing that the entire class of PFAS should be classified as hazardous air pollutants. She argues that without federal regulation, states like North Carolina face severe challenges in addressing this contamination.
Regulatory Gaps Leave Polluters Unchecked
Despite growing concerns over PFAS air emissions, current regulations remain inadequate. In 2019, a court ordered Chemours to reduce most of its air emissions, but the company is not obligated to eliminate them completely. Furthermore, other industrial facilities emitting PFAS face no federal regulations related to their air pollution, leaving significant gaps in enforcement.
The EPA has made strides in addressing PFAS contamination in water supplies, recently implementing strict new limits on PFAS in drinking water. However, no equivalent federal rules exist for air emissions. This regulatory gap, the petition argues, leaves communities vulnerable to ongoing exposure.
Elizabeth Biser, secretary of North Carolina’s Department of Environmental Quality, stressed that regulating PFAS air emissions is essential for closing these gaps. “Adding these forever chemicals to the list of regulated pollutants addresses a gap in our regulatory authority and makes it possible to tackle a critical part of the PFAS life cycle: air emissions,” she said in a press release.
The Petition: A Path Forward for PFAS Regulation
The petition filed by North Carolina, New Jersey, and New Mexico requests that the EPA regulate the four most common and harmful PFAS compounds: PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, and GenX. Although thousands of PFAS exist, the petitioners argue that targeting these four compounds could lead to the removal of other PFAS compounds as well. Technology used to reduce these specific chemicals would likely be effective against a broader range of PFAS.
The toxicological effects of the four targeted chemicals are well-documented. Bob Sussman, an attorney who has fought legal battles against Chemours, said that there is ample evidence to justify the inclusion of these PFAS compounds in the list of hazardous air pollutants. “It should not be hard to justify such a listing given the known adverse effects of PFOA, PFOS, GenX, and other PFAS with extensive toxicity data,” he explained.
What’s Next for PFAS Regulation?
As the EPA reviews the petition, there is growing pressure to address the broader environmental and public health threats posed by PFAS emissions. The petitioners hope that regulating PFAS under the Clean Air Act will set a new standard for limiting airborne pollution. If the EPA agrees to add the four PFAS compounds to its hazardous air pollutants list, industries like Chemours could face stricter emission limits, and communities exposed to PFAS could see improvements in their air and water quality.
However, the process will likely take time, as the EPA has up to 18 months to respond. In the meantime, PFAS emissions continue to contaminate the environment, impacting the health of nearby communities. Advocates like Emily Donovan remain hopeful that this petition marks a turning point in the fight against PFAS pollution, but much work remains to ensure stronger protections are enacted.
Reverse Osmosis Filtration and Whole-Home Water Conditioners: A Crucial Line of Defense
For households affected by PFAS contamination, reverse osmosis (RO) filtration systems and whole-home water conditioners offer a potential solution. RO systems can effectively remove many PFAS compounds from drinking water by forcing water through a semipermeable membrane that traps contaminants. Whole-home water conditioners provide broader water filtration throughout the house, ensuring that all water sources—including showers and washing machines—are free from harmful chemicals.
These technologies are an important stopgap measure for families living in areas where PFAS contamination is present in water supplies. As regulatory agencies like the EPA continue to evaluate how best to tackle PFAS pollution, these technologies offer immediate relief to affected communities.
Source: The Guardian