EPA has so far sidestepped a majority of the Biden administration’s most embattled toxics and “forever chemicals” rules from its rollback plans, but that doesn’t mean those rules are safe.
It’s still unclear how the Trump administration will approach key PFAS regulations finalized under former President Joe Biden, including tightened drinking water standards for six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and hazardous substance designations for two of the most studied members of the family, PFOA and PFOS, under the federal Superfund law.
Toxic Substances Control Act regulations — namely the five rules restricting uses of cancer-causing chemicals, such as asbestos and trichloroethylene, and a framework for evaluating new chemicals under the law — are also still in limbo.
“You can’t assume these rules are safe,” said Bob Sussman, an attorney representing clients in multiple TSCA lawsuits who was EPA’s second-in-command during the Clinton administration. “They are being actively looked at by the administration, and so there is a live concern about what will happen to them.”
