“The Environmental Protection Agency is failing to release records linked to a delayed interactive map for identifying local sources of “forever chemicals” known as PFAS, according to a lawsuit filed in a federal court in Washington. The EPA said in its per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances action plan released in February 2019 that the map would be released that same year. The map would show known or potential PFAS sources and related information, according to the plan.
Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility said it sought timelines for the release of the map and other records linked to the readiness and timing of the release as part of its Freedom of Information Act request filed with the agency in March, 2020. The requested documents still haven’t been released in violation of FOIA, according to the group’s lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia Sunday. Kevin Bell, staff counsel for PEER, said Monday the public should be made aware if there’s a hazardous chemical that won’t break down that has amassed in dangerous amounts in the neighborhood.”
