Public health advocates express fears that Trump's presidency might unravel key regulations on vital water safety, particularly concerning harmful chemicals.
Trump's Clean Water Commitments Under Scrutiny: Will PFAS Regulations Hold?
Trump's Clean Water Commitments Under Scrutiny: Will PFAS Regulations Hold?
Donald Trump’s upcoming administration may threaten federal clean water initiatives, raising concerns over PFAS, aka 'forever chemicals.'
As the Trump administration prepares to take office, public health advocates are voicing their alarm over the potential rollback of federal clean water protections. The focus is on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly referred to as "forever chemicals," known for their persistence in the environment and association with serious health risks including cancer. This concern is amplified by the appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who’s demonstrated controversial views on public health issues, as Trump’s health secretary.
Earlier this year, the Biden administration took a significant step by mandating utilities to eliminate specific harmful PFAS compounds from drinking water. However, with the Trump administration poised to come to power, advocates worry that these important regulations could be quickly overturned.
Erik Olson of the Natural Resources Defense Council cautioned that undermining basic protections for drinking water would be unprecedented. "As the public becomes aware of that, I think people are going to be very upset, saying: ‘Look, I didn’t vote for toxic chemicals in my water,’” Olson noted, shining a light on the public's expectations for safe and clean drinking water, which could clash with the new administration's priorities.
The discourse surrounding clean water is particularly critical given that PFAS are present in the tap water of a majority of Americans. Chemical companies have already taken legal action against Biden's PFAS regulations, signaling their intent to lobby for a repeal once Trump assumes office.
The intersection of public health, environmental safety, and political maneuvering could shape the country’s water quality and safety practices significantly as the Trump administration takes shape. Advocates are gearing up for an intense battle over the future of drinking water safety in the U.S.
Earlier this year, the Biden administration took a significant step by mandating utilities to eliminate specific harmful PFAS compounds from drinking water. However, with the Trump administration poised to come to power, advocates worry that these important regulations could be quickly overturned.
Erik Olson of the Natural Resources Defense Council cautioned that undermining basic protections for drinking water would be unprecedented. "As the public becomes aware of that, I think people are going to be very upset, saying: ‘Look, I didn’t vote for toxic chemicals in my water,’” Olson noted, shining a light on the public's expectations for safe and clean drinking water, which could clash with the new administration's priorities.
The discourse surrounding clean water is particularly critical given that PFAS are present in the tap water of a majority of Americans. Chemical companies have already taken legal action against Biden's PFAS regulations, signaling their intent to lobby for a repeal once Trump assumes office.
The intersection of public health, environmental safety, and political maneuvering could shape the country’s water quality and safety practices significantly as the Trump administration takes shape. Advocates are gearing up for an intense battle over the future of drinking water safety in the U.S.
