WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-03) praised the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on their actions to address polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to protect public health from adverse effects of PFAS in drinking water. The EPA released four PFAS health advisories to indicate that some negative health effects may occur when PFAS are present.
The EPA also announced that it is inviting states and territories to apply for $1 billion – the first of $5 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law grant funding – to address PFAS and other emerging contaminants in drinking water, specifically in small or disadvantaged communities.
“Communities across the country, including Tucson and the surrounding areas, have dealt with the impacts of PFAS contamination for too long,” said Rep. Grijalva. “EPA’s decision to issue new health advisories for PFAS chemicals will protect public health, especially as more data becomes available about the ever-growing scope and impacts of these contaminants in our country. It’s an important step but more action is needed because no amount of PFAS is safe. The Senate must act to pass the PFAS Action act to safeguard public health and clean up contamination from these dangerous chemicals.”
This Congress, Rep. Grijalva voted in favor of the PFAS Action Act that has stalled in the Senate to protect access to clean water and provide remedies for those impacted by forever chemicals. In April, Rep. Grijalva held a forum in Tucson highlighting his Environmental Justice for All bill that aims to protect communities from polluters and pollution and prevent it from happening in the future.
Lifetime Drinking Water Health Advisories for Four PFAS
The EPA is released PFAS health advisories in light of newly available science and in accordance with EPA’s responsibility to protect public health. These advisories indicate the level of drinking water contamination below which adverse health effects are not expected to occur. Health advisories provide technical information that federal, state, and local officials can use to inform the development of monitoring plans, investments in treatment solutions, and future policies to protect the public from PFAS exposure.
$1 Billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding
As part of a government-wide effort to confront PFAS pollution, the EPA is making available $1 billion in grant funding through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help communities that are on the frontlines of PFAS contamination, the first of $5 billion through the Law that can be used to reduce PFAS in drinking water in communities facing disproportionate impacts. These funds can be used in small or disadvantaged communities to address emerging contaminants like PFAS in drinking water through actions such as technical assistance, water quality testing, contractor training, and installation of centralized treatment technologies and systems.