EPA Needs to Act on PFAS – Stop Kicking the Can Down the Road 

Today the EPA announced plans to regulate PFAS in our drinking water at the end of the year. The announcement provided no details on the level of protection it would seek. It has been estimated that as many as 110 million Americans may be drinking water at levels of these chemicals that could cause harm.

 “The EPA has been kicking the can down the road when it comes to making our drinking water safe. EPA’s decision is step towards irresponsibility and in line with polluters. This has a big impact on New Jersey because more people are exposed to PFOs and PFAS in New Jersey than in any other state. Almost 1.6 million people in New Jersey are exposed to these toxic chemicals that can cause cancer and weaken immune systems. That is why it is critical for the State of New Jersey to move forward with adopting stricter standards for harmful chemicals in our drinking water,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.

EPA’s decision to side with polluters over our public health is downright dangerous. This has a big impact on New Jersey because more people are exposed to PFOs and PFAs in New Jersey than in any other state. 1.6 million people in New Jersey are exposed to these toxic chemicals that can cause cancer and weaken immune systems. That is why it is critical for the State of New Jersey to move forward with adopting stricter standards for PFAs and PFOS so that we can protect the health of the public and the environment,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “The Trump Administration’s failure to protect our drinking water is a direct attack on our water and will put more people at risk and impact their health.”

PFOAs and PFAs are also associated with serious health risks, including testicular and kidney cancer; liver tissue damage; weakened immune systems and increased cholesterol; and developmental problems like low birth weight, accelerated puberty and skeletal variations, the notice said. 20% of the people in NJ have PFOA and PFAs in their water. High levels of the chemical were found in Burlington County, New Jersey, in a stream that runs from a wastewater plant at the Maguire-Fort Dix-Lakehurst military base to Rancocas Creek.

“Almost 20% of the people in New Jersey are exposed to PFOS and PFAS. Last year, PFOS was found at the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and the surrounding areas in Burlington County. In Salem and Gloucester County, PFOs found near the Solvay site were seven times over standard. Repeated exposure to PFOS can lead to development defects in children and pregnant women, liver and kidney problems, and even tumors,” said Tittel. “EPA’s delay to propose stricter standards will also affect the cleanup of New Jersey’s toxic sites.

Today the DEP released a statement on EPA’s decision to delay setting strict standards for a cancer-causing chemical frequently found in drinking water. However DEP has yet to adopt standards that the Drinking Water Institute made recommendations for PFOS and PFAS standards 21 months ago. New Jersey’s standard is still at 14ppm.

In May, the Drinking Water Quality Institute (DWQI) met to discuss various toxins in our drinking water including PFOs and 1,2,3,-TCP. Their meeting agenda included Comment/Response on Draft Subcommittee Reports on PFOS. The Senate Environment and Energy Committee also held S74 (Singleton) because the DEP opposed the level of 15 ppt and instead recommend 30 ppt. The bill requires DEP to establish maximum contaminant level for 1,2,3-trichloropropane in drinking water.

“We don’t need any more press releases on what DEP is going to do, we need action. Instead of criticizing the EPA for failing to protect our drinking water, the DEP should be working to adopt stricter standards for harmful chemicals in New Jersey’s drinking water.  DEP must move forward on setting the strictest standards for contaminates in our water like PFOS, PFAS, and 1,4 Dioxane,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “We need the strictest standards for these dangerous materials and we need them to be as strong as possible based on strict science. The longer they wait, the more people are put in danger.”