The Environmental Protection Agency weakened federal drinking water protections for PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” on May 18. Just 24 hours later, the agency announced Georgia would receive more than $25 million in grants meant to address those same toxic compounds.
PFAS contamination has been documented throughout Georgia for nearly two decades.
Maria Doa, senior director of chemical policy at the Environmental Defense Fund, said PFAS are dangerous even at extremely low levels.
“They’re extremely bad,” Doa said. “They cause so many different harms to the body at extremely low levels. And the other thing is many of these PFAS build up in your body and stay there for a long time.”
The carpet industry in northwest Georgia relied on PFAS for stain resistance starting in the 1970s. Wastewater from mills in the Dalton area flushed the chemicals into the Conasauga River, which supplies drinking water for the region.
University of Georgia testing found “staggeringly high” levels of PFAS in the waterway in 2008. Georgia’s Environmental Protection Division has not issued fish advisories or do-not-drink orders, according to an investigation by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Associated Press and FRONTLINE.
The EPA’s new funding for Georgia is part of a broader $1 billion national investment. However, the agency is still moving forward on plans to roll back drinking water limits on four PFAS and delay compliance for two others.
Doa said the administration is putting industry profits ahead of public health.
“This is part of a coordinated approach to roll back protections,” Doa said. “And a lot of the people at EPA are former industry chemical lobby people who are there, and are integral to rolling back these regulations.”
Studies link PFAS to cancer, liver and thyroid disease, and developmental issues in unborn children.
The EPA is taking written comments on the rollbacks until July 20 at regulations.gov, and a virtual public hearing is scheduled for July 7.
The federal grants Georgia received are available now to drinking-water systems and private well owners. The money will help with testing, planning and infrastructure projects addressing PFAS.
Source: Public News Service
