WASHINGTON – The Environmental Working Group is proposing a comprehensive plan for steps the next presidential administration should take to address the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS. Building on the Biden-Harris administration’s strides in regulating these harmful substances, EWG’s plan identifies key steps for many agencies to use to face the PFAS contamination crisis.
The new report outlines a bold agenda, with key roles for agencies including the Environmental Protection Agency, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Department of Defense to ramp up their efforts to confront PFAS contamination. The plan also calls for Congress to boost funding for these efforts and outlines urgent actions for tackling the growing environmental and public health crisis of PFAS.
“The PFAS contamination crisis is not just a threat —it’s an unfolding disaster that demands immediate and unprecedented action,” said Scott Faber, senior vice president of government affairs at EWG. “We’re at a tipping point, where the next administration must act decisively to avert a public health catastrophe that could define the next decade.”
EWG’s all-encompassing strategy aims to mobilize multiple government agencies not only to mitigate PFAS pollution but also to safeguard public health and clean up PFAS-contaminated sites.
PFAS pollution affects more than 130 million Americans, with government data confirming the chemicals have tainted the water supply at 7,457 locations across the U.S.
The Biden-Harris administration has made progress in addressing PFAS contamination by establishing drinking water standards for six PFAS chemicals, labeling two of the most harmful PFAS as hazardous substances and securing $9 billion in funding for water treatment.
Despite these achievements, the PFAS contamination crisis remains dire, with millions of people exposed and facing serious health risks such as cancer, reproductive issues and endocrine disruption. The need for stronger, faster action has never been more urgent.
“This report isn’t just a wake-up call; it’s an urgent demand for action,” said John Reeder, EWG’s vice president of federal affairs. “Without a significant boost in federal resources and a clear, ambitious plan, the PFAS contamination crisis will continue to threaten public health.”
EWG offers PFAS ‘litmus test’
“Regardless of who wins the presidential election, the fight against PFAS is a litmus test for the next administration’s commitment to environmental and public health,” said Reeder. “The stakes couldn’t be higher, and the time for half-measures is over.”
“This report reveals a staggering reality: Our current response to PFAS pollution is only the beginning. We need a game-changing approach and serious funding now to avert a crisis that’s already unfolding,” Reeder added.
The priority actions EWG suggests for agencies include:
- DOD: Ensure safe drinking water for affected communities, end PFAS use in firefighting foam, and increase funding for cleanup efforts.
- EPA: Double funding for PFAS programs, enhance protection for air, water and food, and enforce stricter controls on industrial discharges.
- FDA: Permanently ban PFAS in food packaging, set limits on PFAS in foods, and assess safer alternatives for drugs and medical devices.
A growing contamination problem
PFAS contamination remains an urgent threat. The EPA recently released its latest quarterly report of PFAS test results under its Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, or UCMR5, revealing an additional 2,067 locations – across all 50 states, the District of Columbia and four U.S. territories – contaminated with toxic PFAS.
The new data contributes to a staggering 7,457 locations identified with PFAS in their water supply. With only two-thirds of water systems that will be tested under the rule, the alarming results, added to existing data, show that over 130 million Americans are at risk from drinking water tainted by PFAS.
“The EPA’s latest report confirms what scientists have feared: PFAS contamination is a public health disaster in the making,” said Tasha Stoiber, Ph.D., a senior scientist at EWG.
“The sheer number of contaminated sites is a red flag that says we are facing a pervasive and devastating crisis. More than 130 million Americans are drinking water tainted with PFAS, putting them at risk of severe health issues. This is no longer just an environmental concern; it’s a major public health emergency,” she added.
In a 2020 study, EWG scientists estimated that more than 200 million Americans are exposed to water systems contaminated with PFAS, underscoring the scale of this public health crisis. The latest UCMR5 data further strengthens EWG's ongoing efforts to map PFAS water contamination across the country.
“We know drinking water is a major source of exposure to these toxic chemicals,” said Stoiber. “PFAS are likely detectable in most major water supplies in the U.S., almost certainly in those that use surface water.”
Health risks of PFAS exposure
PFAS are toxic at extremely low levels. They are known as forever chemicals because once released into the environment, they do not break down, and they can build up in the body. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has detected PFAS in the blood of 99 percent of Americans, including newborn babies.
Very low doses of PFAS have been linked to suppression of the immune system. Studies show exposure to PFAS can also increase the risk of cancer, harm fetal development and reduce vaccine effectiveness.
“It’s nearly impossible to avoid PFAS,” said Stoiber. “Everyone deserves access to clean water, and it shouldn’t fall to consumers alone to filter out PFAS from their tap water.”
“There are home water filters designed to reduce PFAS levels. These filters also help remove other contaminants, providing a broader benefit. But in addition to choosing a filtration system, it’s essential to replace the filter regularly. If you don’t, the filter can become saturated, causing PFAS levels in the filtered water to exceed those in the untreated tap water,” she said.
For people who know of or suspect the presence of PFAS in their tap water, a home filtration system is the most efficient way to reduce exposure. EWG researchers tested the performance of 10 popular water filters to evaluate how well each reduced PFAS levels detected in home tap water.
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The Environmental Working Group is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that empowers people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. Through research, advocacy and unique education tools, EWG drives consumer choice and civic action.
