Urging EPA action of hazardous “forever chemicals”

Earlier this fall, the United States Environmental Protection Agency proposed designating PFOA and PFOS, two of the oldest PFAS chemicals, as hazardous substances.

Maryland PIRG joined USPIRG, CALPIRG, CoPIRG, Illinois PIRG, MASSPIRG, NCPIRG, OSPIRG and WASHPIRG on a list of 150 environmental, health and justice organizations sending a letter to the EPA to support the designation of these two “forever chemicals” as hazardous substances.

PFOS, formerly an ingredient in 3M’s Scotchgard, and PFOA, formerly used by DuPont to make Teflon, are two types of PFAS chemicals. According to the EPA, there is no safe level of some PFAS in drinking water and exposure to PFAS chemicals, even in small amounts over time, has been linked to serious health effects including cancer, thyroid disruption and reduced vaccine response.

PFAS have been given the nickname “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down in our bodies or in the environment. So the more they get used, the more they build up and the bigger the risk they pose to our health.

We urge the EPA to move quickly to finalize this designation and encourage states and the federal government to designate the entire class of PFAS chemicals as hazardous substances.