forever chemicals

President Trump has sought fewer environmental rules and more oil and gas development. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has carried out that agenda by announcing massive regulatory rollbacks.

Federal rules to reduce the levels of "forever chemicals" in drinking water are getting delayed.

In a court filing, the agency said the abeyance would allow time to “allow parties to confer and seek agreement on proposals” ahead of the EPA’s planned announcement on the rules.

The Defense Department continues its investigation into PFAS contamination in off-base drinking water wells, conducting testing and providing mitigation.

Utility membership groups sued the EPA for clean drinking water rules enacted under the Biden administration. Now, Trump's EPA has until Monday to make a move in court.

Young Black families settled in what is now Whitted in 1886, and their descendants and neighbors there still rely on well water. Now, they know the wells have enough PFAS to trigger health concerns. But change is slow.

Scientists are researching toxins, including what are known as PFAS, in the bay and could create warnings based on what they find.

So far, water utility reports reveal 89.3 million people have been exposed to PFAS nationwide, although a peer-reviewed article from 2020 estimates that number to be around 200 million.

The Miami area has had the highest documented levels of PFAS chemicals in Florida drinking water. Although the Tampa region is much lower, utilities will likely need to take action.

PFAS chemicals have been used for decades to waterproof and stain-proof consumer products and are linked to health problems.