Addressing the Crisis of Forever Chemicals

The absence of enforceable environmental and health standards for PFAS poses a significant and growing threat to the health and well-being of this country.

PEER works with current and former local, state and federal employees who want government agencies to do more to protect people and wildlife from these toxic chemicals.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are a class of over 13,000 human-made chemicals that are persistent, toxic, and most are bioaccumulative. They are used in manufacturing processes and are components of consumer products such as upholstered furniture, non-stick cookware, cosmetics, clothing, artificial turf, and pesticides, as well as many other products.

These “forever chemicals” do not break down in the environment. Many biomagnify in the food chain — and bioaccumulate in us. There are three exposure routes for PFAS: ingestion, inhalation, and dermal absorption. Studies have found PFAS in the bloodstream of 99% of Americans.

Human exposure to PFAS is associated with cancer, birth defects, developmental damage to infants, and impaired functioning of the liver, kidneys, and immune system.

PEER’s work focuses on advocating for:

    • Defining PFAS broadly;
    • Regulating PFAS as a family of chemicals;
    • Banning all non-essential uses of PFAS, as Europe is doing;
    • Setting comprehensive standards for PFAS across environmental statutes that address air and water quality, hazardous waste management, remediating polluted sites, and reporting toxic releases; and
    • Bringing complete transparency and scientific integrity to government decision making.

LEARN MORE

Fighting PFAS Contamination on Farms

PEER is suing EPA on behalf of Texas farmers and others for failing to set standards on PFAS in biosolids. Learn more»

Exposing PFAS Risks from Artificial Turf

Ewell Hopkins, former Planning Board chair for the Town of Oak Bluffs, Mass. and a PEER Board Member, explains PEER’s role in standing up for communities. Learn more»

Suing over PFAS in Plastic Containers

PEER and the Center for Environmental Health are working relentlessly to get PFAS out of plastic containers. Learn more»

TAKE ACTION

Tell EPA to get PFAS out of pesticides

PFAS should not be in pesticides. Tell the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ban the distribution of all pesticides containing PFAS and urge your Congressional members to ask EPA to act immediately on this petition. Sign our petition»

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A SNAPSHOT OF PEER’S PAST EFFORTS

Here are some examples of how PEER has made a difference:

PEER’S PERSPECTIVE

COMMENTARY | EPA Lacks a PFAS Containment Strategy

To stop the forever chemical crisis, EPA must interrupt the flow of PFAS reaching our water, soil, and food chain every day.

READ MORE NEWS ON PUBLIC HEALTH

Devastation on the Ranch: PFAS in Biosolids

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency faces a federal lawsuit over its failure to prevent toxic per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in biosolid fertilizers from contaminating farmlands, livestock, crops, and water supplies. Hear from James Farmer and Robin Alessi, two ranchers whose livelihoods were decimated after PFAS-laden biosolids from neighboring properties leached onto their land.

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