EPA delays end to so-called 'forever chemicals' in drinking water to extend compliance deadline

The Environmental Protection Agency said Wednesday that it plans to pause putting limits on some so-called forever chemicals in drinking water that were finalized last year, while maintaining standards for two common ones.

The Biden administration set the first federal drinking water limits for PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, finding they increased the risk of cardiovascular disease, certain cancers and babies being born with low birth weight. 

The administration putting limits on PFAS – which are man-made and don’t easily break down in nature – was supposed to reduce their levels in drinking water for millions of people.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin suggested the agency intends to eliminate so-called "forever chemicals" from the country's water supplies, but more time is needed to meet the previous administration's deadline.

“We are on a path to uphold the agency’s nationwide standards to protect Americans from PFOA and PFOS in their water. At the same time, we will work to provide common-sense flexibility in the form of additional time for compliance,” he said.