The Trump EPA delayed and partially rolled back the first-ever national drinking water limits for PFAS — toxic 'forever chemicals' linked to cancer, thyroid disease, immune suppression, and developmental effects in children. Biden's April 2024 rule had set maximum contaminant levels of 4 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS, the two most studied and dangerous PFAS compounds.
In May 2025, the EPA delayed compliance deadlines for PFOA and PFOS by two years (to 2031) but announced it would keep the 4 ppt limits for those two compounds. However, the EPA moved to fully rescind the standards for four other PFAS compounds (GenX, PFHxS, PFNA, PFBS), asking a federal court to eliminate those limits entirely.
The standards had taken decades to establish. EPA estimated they would prevent thousands of deaths from kidney and testicular cancer and reduce PFAS exposure for approximately 100 million Americans. EWG analysis found 158-176 million people live in communities with PFAS-contaminated drinking water.
The delays and partial rollback benefit chemical manufacturers (3M, Chemours/DuPont) facing billions in potential liability, water utilities seeking to avoid $1.5 billion per year in compliance costs (despite federal funding being available), and the Department of Defense — one of the nation's largest PFAS contaminators through firefighting foam use at military bases.
PFAS are called 'forever chemicals' because they don't break down in the environment or the human body. They've been found in drinking water, food packaging, nonstick cookware, and the blood of 98% of Americans tested. Communities near military bases and chemical plants are most affected.