
forever chemicals


EPA’s PFAS plans draw concern in public health circles
By Shannon Kelleher
Moves by the Trump administration to draw up a new regulatory framework for types of toxic chemicals has sparked suspicion among health advocates who fear the changes will protect polluters but not public health.

High-stakes hearing to debate state law limiting PCB injury claims
By Shannon Kelleher
Lawyers for three teachers in Washington state will face off against attorneys for the former Monsanto company in a key court hearing on Tuesday over alleged PCB-related injuries that could impact similar cases nationwide.

Amid series of rapid-fire policy reversals, Trump quietly withdraws proposed limits on PFAS
By Shannon Kelleher
Amid a flurry of actions curtailing Biden’s environmental policies, the administration of newly inaugurated President Donald Trump this week withdrew a plan to set limits on toxic PFAS chemicals in industrial wastewater.

Millions of Americans exposed to unregulated chemicals in drinking water, study finds
By Shannon Kelleher
Almost 100 million people in the US may be exposed to unregulated industrial chemicals in their drinking water, with communities of color especially at risk, according to a new analysis of federal monitoring data for water systems across the country.

PFAS in sludge spread on farmland poses health risks, EPA report says
By Shannon Kelleher and Carey Gillam
US regulators on Tuesday added to growing concerns about the long-standing practice of using sewage sludge to fertilize farmland, releasing a report warning that chemicals contaminating the sludge pose heightened human health risks for cancer and other illnesses.

PFAS levels increasing in Arctic animals, study finds
By Douglas Main
Concentrations of toxic pollutants known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are continuing to increase in Arctic animals such as polar bears despite efforts to rein in their use, according to a new study.
Microbes to the rescue? Companies probe PFAS cleanup solutions
By Lydia Larsen
Tim Repas was tired of hauling dirt to landfills. As an environmental consultant in Canada’s oil fields, where the soil is often laden with health-harming petroleum hydrocarbon chemicals, Repas felt he spent too much time moving contaminated soil around and not enough time trying to eliminate the dangers posed by the compounds.
EPA has failed to protect consumers from PFAS-laced containers, lawsuit alleges
By Shannon Kelleher
US regulators have failed to protect the public from millions of plastic containers that contain toxic PFAS chemicals, which can leach into pesticides, condiments, household cleaners, and many other products, alleges a lawsuit filed this week by environmental groups
“A huge victory for public health”: EPA set limits on PFAS toxins in drinking water
By Shannon Kelleher
US regulators on Wednesday put in place the nation’s first legally enforceable limits for levels of six toxic PFAS chemicals in drinking water, saying the moves should prevent thousands of deaths and reduce serious illnesses in people across the country.