Three U.S. states have petitioned the EPA to regulate PFAS air emissions, urging the agency to designate certain chemicals as hazardous pollutants under the Clean Air Act.
Tom Perkins reports for The Guardian.
In short:
- North Carolina, New Jersey, and New Mexico are calling for PFAS air emissions to be regulated, emphasizing their threat to human health and the environment.
- The Chemours plant in North Carolina is believed to emit much more PFAS than reported, contributing to widespread contamination of water and soil.
- The EPA has regulated PFAS in water but lacks laws addressing air pollution from these chemicals.
Key quote:
“At this point, the EPA should designate the entire class of PFAS as hazardous air pollutants.”
— Emily Donovan, co-founder of Clean Cape Fear.
Why this matters:
PFAS chemicals persist in the environment and accumulate in air, water, and food supplies, causing severe health risks. Addressing air pollution is a critical step in limiting exposure to these hazardous compounds.
