California Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel introduced a bill to set state drinking water limits for toxic PFAS chemicals, aiming to preserve protections that may be weakened under a future Trump administration.
Sharon Udasin reports for The Hill.
In short:
- The bill, AB 794, would require California to maintain PFAS limits at least as strict as federal regulations in place as of January 2025, regardless of future changes.
- PFAS, or "forever chemicals," are linked to cancer, reproductive issues and other health risks and are found in many household products.
- Eleven other states have already enacted their own PFAS limits.
Key quote:
“These chemicals disrupt hormone function, which is essential for healthy pregnancies and reproductive well-being.”
— Juliana Melo, associate professor in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of California, Davis
Why this matters:
PFAS chemicals persist in the environment and the human body, making them a long-term health risk. Even at low concentrations, PFAS exposure has been linked to serious conditions such as cancer, immune suppression, liver damage, and developmental issues in children. Yet despite mounting scientific evidence, federal regulations on PFAS remain in flux, leaving states to take matters into their own hands.
California, long a leader in environmental policy, has set some of the strictest limits on PFAS in drinking water. Other states are following suit, implementing their own monitoring and cleanup efforts as communities demand action. The challenge, however, is significant. PFAS are difficult to remove from water supplies, and their widespread use over decades means they are already deeply embedded in ecosystems.
- Read more about PFAS and other endocrine disrupting chemicals.
- Related: Stricter toxic chemical rules reduce Californians’ exposures
