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»
SUBSCRIBE TO PEERMAIL Get informative commentaries, urgent action alerts, and the latest updates on our work.
"*" indicates required fields
By clicking subscribe, I consent to PEER storing my personal information per the privacy guarantee.
A SNAPSHOT OF PEER’S PAST EFFORTS
Here are some examples of how PEER has made a difference:
- Petitioning EPA to classify PFAS-contaminated waste as hazardous under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, so that it can be managed more safely during generation, transportation, and disposal.
- Helping a farming family in Texas tell the story of how PFAS contamination has destroyed their livelihood.
- Documenting the widespread use of PFAS in pesticides despite EPA assurances to the contrary.
- Waging a successful three-year effort to urge EPA to release national PFAS contamination data.
- Identifying dangerously high levels of PFAS in biosolids used in the greater Washington, DC, area, leading to curbs on its application.
- Working with communities and groups across the country to address local issues and build national movements.
PEER’S PERSPECTIVE
COMMENTARY | EPA Lacks a PFAS Containment Strategy
READ MORE NEWS ON PUBLIC HEALTH
Losing Our Voice: The Attack on Public Health Science
Politicians are leading our nation’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Public health experts and scienists, sidelined and ignored, have lost their voices.
Can National Parks Practice Social Distancing?
The still-unfolding pandemic has underlined the public health risks that national parks and refuges pose both to the visiting public and their own employees. How can national parks dedicated to attracting crowds operate in a new era of social distancing?
EPA Not on Emergency Footing
Extraneous Activities Undercut “Primary Mission Essential Function”
National Parks Epitomize Trump COVID Inconsistency
As more than 100 national park units have closed, hundreds more remain open in an uneven handling of COVID-19 by the Trump administration.
BLOG: COVID-19 Power Grab
Buried deep in the $2 trillion coronavirus bill, was a change in the tax code that “could result in $170 billion in tax breaks for real estate investors.”
NRC Stages Swift Sweeping Rollback During Pandemic
Vast Amounts of Rad Waste Slated for Disposal by Unlicensed Operators
PEERMail | Anti-Science Agenda Getting a Green Light
Failure to address the pandemic lies with Trump and politicians like Mitch McConnell who have a long history gutting funding of our public health agencies and ignoring the advice of scientists and health advocates.
BLOG: How Mitch McConnell Gutted the Pandemic Response
While he has been the Senate Republican Leader, Mitch McConnell has led efforts to cut $1.6 trillion in critical funding for CDC and NIH research. And now, as our public health services are begging for resources to save lives from the pandemic, Americans are living the policy result of Sen. McConnell’s efforts.
