The Environmental Protection Agency announced Wednesday that it plans to rescind and reconsider limits on four different “forever chemicals” under a landmark drinking water standard implemented last year by President Joe Biden. The drinking water rules were adopted as part of the Biden administration’s efforts to limit public exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), hazardous chemicals linked to a range of serious illnesses. The original rule covered six common PFAS contaminants, including PFOA, a known human carcinogen, and PFOS, a likely carcinogen. The EPA estimates that more than 158 million Americans are exposed to PFAS through their drinking water. The agency plans to maintain current rules for PFOA and PFOS, though it will extend the deadline for compliance from 2029 to 2031.

Other PFAS news:

• AP News: EPA announces rollback for some Biden-era limits on so-called forever chemicals in drinking water
• The Hill: EPA plans to weaken ‘forever chemical’ drinking water limits
• E&E News by Politico: EPA mulls rollback of landmark ‘forever chemicals’ rule
• Morning Ag Clips: EPA announces it will keep maximum contaminant levels for PFOA, PFOS
• CALPIRG: Blog: Let’s get PFAS “forever chemicals” out of our drinking water