Without strong federal action, PFAS chemicals will continue to threaten public health.
Erin Brockovich writes for The New York Times.
In short:
- PFAS, or "forever chemicals," persist in the environment and human bodies, causing health issues like cancer and developmental delays.
- The Supreme Court's Chevron decision weakens federal regulatory power, putting recent PFAS regulations at risk.
- Potential rollback of environmental protections under another Trump presidency could exacerbate contamination issues.
Key quote:
"We’ve known for decades which industries use these chemicals, and we’ve known they are accumulating in the environment."
— Erin Brockovich, environmental activist
Why this matters:
Research has linked PFAS exposure to various health problems, such as cancer, liver damage, decreased fertility, increased risk of asthma, and thyroid disease. They can contaminate drinking water supplies, soil, and even the food we eat. Communities near industrial sites or military bases where PFAS are used or disposed of are particularly vulnerable to higher exposure levels.
