The Biden administration has barred PFAS chemicals from expedited safety reviews to ensure thorough evaluations before their use in products.
Rachel Frazin reports for The Hill.
In short:
- The EPA has banned the use of Low Volume Exemptions (LVEs) for PFAS, mandating full safety reviews before manufacturing.
- PFAS, or "forever chemicals," are used in products like nonstick cookware and have been linked to cancer, kidney damage and fertility issues.
- More than 600 types of PFAS have previously bypassed rigorous review under the LVE process.
Key quote:
“Today, we’ve modernized our chemical reviews and continued to protect people from unsafe new PFAS.”
— Michal Freedhoff, EPA assistant administrator
Why this matters:
PFAS persist in the environment, accumulating in ecosystems and human bodies with harmful health impacts. Closing regulatory loopholes limits exposure and aligns with broader efforts to manage toxic chemical risks.
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