A Senate Environment and Public Works subcommittee plans to probe how “forever chemicals” affect public health.
Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), chair of the Chemical Safety, Waste Management, Environmental Justice and Regulatory Oversight Subcommittee, will hold a hearing Thursday focused on health effects from PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. The meeting had been set for September but was postponed.
There is broad consensus from all sides that some PFAS can cause serious, life-threatening illnesses. Scientists are still researching the full extent of health risks.
The hearing comes just weeks before President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration. It is unclear how the incoming administration’s deregulatory promises will affect the Biden administration’s PFAS milestones.
