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
Massachusetts PFAS Plan Good Start, But Too Limited
Sets Limits too High, Omits Thousands of PFAS and Fails to Address Sources
BLOG: Weak Industrial Accident Emissions Rule Final But Not Effective
After more than 20 years of delay and a successful lawsuit by PEER and chemical safety advocacy groups, the Chemical Safety Board (CSB) dashed hopes that it would at long last issue a robust rule requiring the reporting of incidents involving the release of dangerous chemicals from oil refineries and other industrial facilities.
Artificial Turf’s Big Lie: Old Fields Not Recycled
No Recycling Facilities, So Tons of Plastic Carpet Dumped
Groups Petition EPA to Regulate PFAS Waste
Absence of any federal standards for tracking and managing wastes contaminated with toxic polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) poses a major and growing threat to our health, water, and soil.
PEERMail: Exploding in a Neighborhood Near You
America’s industrial infrastructure suffers from aging pipes prone to corrosive leaks leading to ignition that have led to near-catastrophic accidents..
Industrial Accident Emissions Reporting Plan Too Weak
CSB Proposal Would Not Produce Useful, Accurate, or Timely Information
BLOG: EPA Continues to Approve Bee-Killing Insecticides
With over 40 percent of insect life threatened with extinction, the EPA continues to issue emergency exemptions to toxic pollinator-killing insecticides.
Colorado Lags in Controlling Forever Chemicals
Dangerous Levels of PFAS in Drinking Water Without Enforceable Limits
