FACT SHEET: Biden-Harris Administration Launches Eight-Agency Plan to Combat PFAS Pollution
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/10/18/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-launches-plan-to-combat-pfas-pollution/
The Biden-Harris Administration is announcing accelerated efforts to protect Americans from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which can cause severe health problems and persist in the environment once released, posing a serious threat across rural, suburban, and urban areas. To safeguard public health and protect the environment, the efforts [across eight agencies] being announced will help prevent PFAS from being released into the air, drinking systems, and food supply, and the actions will expand cleanup efforts to remediate the impacts of these harmful pollutants.
As part of this government-wide approach, EPA Administrator Regan launched EPA’s PFAS Roadmap, a comprehensive strategy that outlines concrete actions over the next three years, including steps to control PFAS at its sources, hold polluters accountable, ensure science-based decision making, and address the impacts on disadvantaged communities. See
https://www.epa.gov/pfas/pfas-strategic-roadmap-epas-commitments-action-2021-2024
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is continuing to expand its testing of the food supply to significantly advance its work to estimate dietary exposure to PFAS from food. Over the next three years, FDA will proactively engage with and continue to support states when suspected areas of PFAS contamination may impact food and expand its PFAS analysis method development. In the coming months, this will include announcing additional testing results from the general food supply and targeted testing of seafood. FDA will also report on the verification process for the 3-year phase out of sales of certain PFAS from food contact uses, following agreements reached with certain manufacturers in 2020.
The Administration is also continuing work to pass President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal and Build Back Better Agenda, which both include dedicated funding to address PFAS contamination in drinking water. Specifically, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal includes $10 billion in grants to address emerging contaminants, including PFAS, through the State Revolving Funds and small and disadvantaged community programs. The President’s Build Back Better Agenda also includes investments for EPA to conduct monitoring across the country for 29 PFAS compounds in drinking water through the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule program.
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is supporting research on PFAS in the food system and taking action to prevent and address contamination. USDA’s Agricultural Research Service researchers are investigating the causes and implications of PFAS in the food system. USDA will also continue to support extramural research on environmental contaminants including PFAS, with a focus on PFAS in the environment and food supply, as well as animal and human health. USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service has developed and is deploying analytical methods for testing for PFAS in meat and poultry products.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is driving forward a set of initiatives to investigate and remediate PFAS and protect emergency responders. DHS conducted the first-ever inventory of PFAS use and prior releases from its facilities, including uses in firefighting foams and other PFAS-containing materials, and possible water source contamination. To address the known or suspected presence of PFAS at DHS facilities, a recent Policy Directive establishes procedures for alerting the Office of the Chief Readiness Support Officer, conducting follow-up investigations, and taking appropriate response actions. Going forward, a new DHS-wide Emerging Contaminants Working Group will coordinate additional steps to remediate PFAS and other contaminants of emerging concern.
