More than 1.3M New Yorkers at risk if EPA weakens PFAS standards

Administrator Lee Zeldin will decide fate of landmark ‘forever chemicals’ standards

ALBANY, N.Y. – More than 1.3 million New Yorkers could lose critical protections from the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS in their tap water if the Environmental Protection Agency rolls back its historic, science-based PFAS drinking water standards.

That’s the conclusion of a new analysis released today by the Environmental Working Group with Citizens Campaign for the Environment.

The analysis shows that at least 189 New York water systems – primarily serving residents on Long Island – have detected these chemicals above levels set in the landmark drinking water limits for six PFAS. The analysis is based on recent state and federal tests of PFAS in water. 

But these same systems’ PFAS levels are below the cap that New York set in 2020 for PFOA and PFOS, two of the most notorious and well-studied of the large group of forever chemicals.

The future of the federal limits is uncertain. 

On February 7, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia paused a lawsuit brought by water utilities and the chemical industry, giving the Trump administration and the EPA until April 8 to announce its intentions for the PFAS maximum contaminant levels – whether to weaken the standards significantly, continue defending them, ask for more time or scrap them altogether.

The agency finalized the standards in April 2024. They include limits of 4 parts per trillion, or ppt, for PFOA and PFOS, and 10 ppt for GenX, PFHxS, and PFNA. The EPA also set a hazard index of 1 for GenX, PFHxS, PFNA, and PFBS, which is a way to measure risks based on combined exposure. The standards aims to protect public health by reducing exposure to the toxic chemicals and their known serious health harms.

“If the EPA rolls back its PFAS drinking water standards, it would be nothing short of a betrayal of public health,” said David Andrews, Ph.D., EWG’s acting chief science officer. 

“There is no safe level of exposure to PFAS, especially to PFOA and PFOS. Even low doses of these chemicals have been linked to serious health harms. Rolling back federal protections would leave New Yorkers vulnerable to entirely preventable health risks,” he added.

New York’s standard for PFOA and PFOS in drinking water is 10 ppt. Weakening or outright eliminating the federal standards would scrap the 4 ppt safeguard, stripping any community in the state with PFAS of most or all protection from water contaminated up to 10 ppt. New York’s standard does not provide protection from the additional four PFAS covered by the federal rule.

​​“Will Lee Zeldin side with the health and well-being of fellow Long Island residents, or will he side with chemical companies that are seeking to pollute our drinking water and expose the public to toxic cancer-causing chemicals?” askedAdrienne Esposito, the executive director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment.

“I stood with Congressman Zeldin to call for strong federal PFAS drinking water standards. We’re all now counting on EPA Administrator Zeldin to follow through on his word. Every Long Islander, New Yorker and American deserves access to clean drinking water free of toxic forever chemicals that are linked to cancer and other serious health impacts,” she added.

New York water systems at risk

The new joint analysis identifies water systems in New York that have detected PFAS at levels below the state’s current drinking water standards, which are less stringent than the EPA’s limits. They’d receive critical coverage under the EPA’s more protective standards. 

Many more systems that have detected PFAS above New York state’s standard have taken or are taking action to protect their customers. Without a federal standard, these systems would not have to take any action to protect their water under the state limit.

“Eliminating the EPA’s PFAS limits would make drinking water less safe from harmful chemicals while forcing New York families to continue drinking contaminated water,” said Jared Hayes, a senior policy analyst at EWG and co-author of the report.

“Without federal PFAS standards, nearly 200 New York water systems could avoid taking protective actions, even though hazardous forever chemicals are still in their water,” he said.

Multiple locations across New York would lose these essential protections, including Mayville, Carroll Water District and Cherry Creek, in Chautauqua County, along with Countyline Mobile Home Park, in Orleans County. 

“The Defense Department has also said that only in cases where it contaminated the water will it treat the chemicals to the federal standard. So in addition to the numbers our analysis found, many service members and defense communities could also lose protections," said Hayes. 

“Rolling back or weakening the existing standards would endanger lives and undermine years of progress toward cleaner drinking water,” he added.

Health harms

PFAS are known as forever chemicals because once released into the environment they do not break down and they can build up in the body. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has detected PFAS in the blood of 99 percent of Americans, including newborn babies. 

For decades, polluters hid the health harms of PFAS from regulators, workers and neighboring communities. PFAS have been linked to cancer, reproductive harm, immune system damage and other serious health problems, even at low levels. 

“A growing body of peer-reviewed science demonstrates unequivocally that there is no safe level of exposure to toxic PFAS in drinking water,” said Esposito.

“The decision on whether or not to move forward with EPA’s science-based, health-protective drinking water standards will have an impact on the health of New Yorkers and all Americans for decades to come,” she added.

Press Contacts: 

Adrienne Esposito, CCE, 631-384-1378, aesposito@citizenscampaign.org

Brian Smith, CCE, 716-472-4078, bsmith@citizenscampaign.org 

Monica Amarelo, EWG, 202-939-9140, monica@ewg.org

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The Environmental Working Group is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that empowers people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. Through research, advocacy and unique education tools, EWG drives consumer choice and civic action. 

Citizens Campaign for the Environment was formed in 1985 by a small group of concerned citizens recognizing the need for public involvement to advance stronger environmental policy. Today, it has grown to a 120,000-member organization with New York offices in Albany, Buffalo, Farmingdale and Syracuse. CCE works to empower the public by providing members with opportunities to participate in the political process and thereby advance a strong environmental agenda.

Watch: Whale Tales and Real Facts

We had a very informational webinar with whale experts who provided the most recent science on whale populations off our shore and how you can help protect whales. Missed the webinar? Watch it here.

Humpbacks, Minke, Right Whales, oh my! There are many species of whales that inhabit our waters throughout the year. Watch the video to learn more about these whales off New York’s coast and threats they are facing. This virtual forum features whale experts who have decades of experience in tracking individual whales, conducting necropsies on deceased whales, and monitoring growing threats to whales and other marine mammals.

In 2016 the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) declared an Unusual Mortality Event for Humpback whales, Minke Whales, and North Atlantic Right Whales. These endangered species are highly vulnerable to ship strikes, entanglement in fishing gear, plastic pollution and climate change. Scientists are closely monitoring whale populations and working on solutions to offer more safeguard of these critical marine animals.

Check out our webinar to learn more about whale populations and data in the summer of 2024 and the current threats off New York’s coast.

Whale Tales and Real Facts
WHO:

• Marianne McNamara, Vice President and Naturalist, Coastal Research and Education Society of Long Island

• Rob DiGiovanni, Founder and Chief Scientist, Atlantic Marine Conservation Society

Watch Whale Tales and Real Facts here.

Thank you for watching!

Sincerely, 
All of us at CCE

Ban on PFAS and Toxic Chemicals in Menstrual Products Bill Passes in Both Houses in New York State

Only Governor Hochul’s signature is needed to protect people who menstruate   

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Albany, NY- Today, the JustGreen Partnership is celebrating a mid-point legislative session win with the unanimous passage of the Ban on PFAS and Toxic Chemicals Bill S.1548 (Fernandez) / A1502 (Rosenthal) in the Assembly, following unanimous passage in the Senate in January. Next step is the Governor Hochul‘s desk. Once signed into law by the end of the year, New York will join California, Maine, and Vermont in restricting PFAS in menstrual products, and go beyond other states by restricting other harmful chemicals.

This bill will regulate the sale and distribution of menstrual products (pads, tampons, liners, sponges, etc.) in New York State that contain restricted substances or unsafe chemicals, including PFAS “forever chemicals,” heavy metals like lead and mercury, hormone disrupting parabens, and carcinogens like formaldehyde and toluene. 

As the JustGreen Partnership celebrates the unanimous passage of the bill today, they turn their focus to the Governor, who has long been vocal about her support for women’s reproductive rights, at a time when such rights are under attack federally. When New York State required period product makers to disclose ingredients on product packaging sold in the state under a law passed in 2019, companies responded by adding the labels nationally. This fits a pattern and advocates anticipate safer period products on store shelves from New York to New Mexico. 

“Today’s vote is a historic win for public health, environmental justice, and menstrual equity in New York. With the passage of S.1548/A.1502, we are shifting the burden away from consumers and putting it where it belongs—on manufacturers—to ensure the safety of products used in the most intimate parts of our lives,” said New York State Senator Nathalia Fernandez. “It's a commonsense, science-backed step toward a healthier, more just future. I’m proud to have worked alongside Assemblymember Rosenthal and a broad coalition of advocates to deliver this win for New Yorkers, and I look forward to seeing the Governor sign it into law.”

“Manufacturing giants will no longer be able to sell toxic period products in New York State when my bill takes effect,” said Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal (D/WF-Manhattan), Chair of the Assembly Committee on Housing. “For more than a century, women have been inserting untested and unregulated products into the most sensitive and absorbent part of their body. With the passage of my legislation, New York is ensuring that no woman will ever have to face this dangerous indignity again. I am incredibly grateful to Clean+Healthy, especially its Executive Director, Bobbi Wilding, for their unyielding support in getting this much-needed measure over the finish line.”

“We are thrilled that the Assembly has unanimously passed Assemblymember Rosenthal's bill to ban PFAS and other toxic chemicals in period products, after the Senate swiftly unanimously passed Senator Fernandez’s matching bill in January. There's no excuse for period product makers to allow harmful chemicals in their products. Everyone deserves to have access to these intimate products that are free of health-harming chemicals, whether or not they know about chemical hazards, regardless of how much money they have in their pockets, and frankly, whether or not they think this is important." said Bobbi Wilding, Executive Director of Clean+Healthy. "Now, as we see rapid erosion of public health and environmental protections at the federal level, it's more important than ever that New York State enacts these protections. We know that when New York required ingredient labels on period products, it changed packaging information nationally. We expect the same will be true again. Governor Hochul, we look forward to you signing this bill into law without delay!”

“Women and femmes of color are already disproportionately exposed to toxic chemicals in their lived environment, and even more so from beauty products that are marketed towards them. One way to reduce this dangerous exposure is to ban toxic chemicals in period products, which pose a heightened risk given their use in sensitive areas of the body as well as their duration of use. This crucial legislation for menstruators' health will prohibit the use of chemicals such as PFAS, talc, lead, synthetic fragrances and so many more. All of these toxins are closely linked to resulting in cancer, contribute to fertility and reproductive challenges, reduce immune function, and interfere with hormones," said Briana Carbajal, State Legislative Manager at WE ACT for Environmental Justice. "Thank you to Senator Fernandez and Assemblymember Rosenthal for championing the passage of such an exemplary piece of legislation for other states to follow suit.”

“New Yorkers and our communities are inundated by exposure to toxic 'forever chemicals' (like PFAS) each and every day, and in ways that we don't even realize," said Caitlin Ferrante, Conservation Program Manager, Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter. "Ridding our environment of these ubiquitous toxins will improve public health and help to reduce the costs of healthcare and expensive filtration of drinking water. The passage of A.1502/S.1548 will help limit yet another pathway of PFAS and other toxic chemicals exposure, in products used by more than half of the population, in the most intimate areas of their bodies. The Sierra Club is grateful for the leadership shown by Assemblymember Rosenthal and Senator Fernandez in getting this legislation passed in both houses this year, and look forward to Governor Hochul signing the bill into law.”

“Today’s passage of the Safe Menstrual Products Act is a period-defining moment for health and safety.” said Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, Citizens Campaign for the Environment “Women should not be unnecessarily exposed to PFAS chemicals, formaldehyde, parabens and other toxics when they use these products. This legislation creates a future where menstrual and feminine hygiene products are as safe as they are necessary. CCE commends Assemblymember Rosenthal and Senator Fernandez for their leadership and we look forward to working with them to get this bill signed into law.”

“PFAS are pervasive toxic compounds with major implications for the health of our children and families who are commonly exposed through everyday household products. Menstrual products are particularly concerning sources of exposure as PFAS have been linked to lower birth weights, altered timing of puberty in adolescents, and high blood pressure in pregnancy that can have serious effects during childbirth among other health issues.” Said Charles Moon, MD, Co-Chair of the Public Policy and Advocacy Committee for the NYS Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. “The NYS AAP thanks the Assembly for continued leadership on toxic chemical protections by passing this commonsense legislation and helping New Yorkers live healthier.”

“It is mind-boggling to have to say this, but dangerous 'forever chemicals' have no place in products designed for intimate bodily use," said Kate Donovan, Senior Attorney & Northeast Director of Environmental Health at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council). "Bill A1502 / S1548 removes the burden from consumers to try to find less toxic products, and instead requires manufacturers to make products safe. The New York Legislature has finally taken the crucial step to protect New Yorkers that use menstrual products from dangerous chemicals that are known to cause serious health impacts.”

“The business community thanks the New York State legislature for passing this common sense, yet uncommon, legislation,” said Bob Rossi, Executive Director of the New York Sustainable Business Council (NYSBC). “Our businesses and economy depend on a healthy citizenry, which is threatened by PFAS poisoning, especially in products that directly contact our skin. We must push forward, support innovation, and meet the growing consumer demand for safer products—some even produced here in New York. We look to Governor Hochul to sign this bill into law.”

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Help Save Connecticut’s Environmental Protection Laws

Photo by Ysabella Ray on Unsplash

Urge the CT General Assembly to OPPOSE Rollbacks to Connecticut’s Environmental Protection Laws

The CT General Assembly’s Environment Committee is considering several bills that would roll back the Connecticut Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) and other long-standing environmental and public health protections. CEPA allows the public to have a voice in environmental decisions and guarantees the state takes public input into account. It also ensures that state agencies do not allow practices that would unreasonably pollute or destroy natural resources. CEPA is vital to protect Connecticut’s environment and public health.

Key environmental regulations are under attack at the federal level and there are significant  funding cuts proposed for federal environmental programs. We cannot afford for Connecticut to also weaken the state’s environmental protection laws. We need Connecticut to step up, not backtrack, on fighting for our environment and public health.   

Email the members of the Environment Committee today. Tell them that you oppose H.B.6249, H.B.6868, and all other bills that would roll back environmental protection measures and limit the public’s ability to have a say in decision-making that impacts our air, water, land, and health.

Thank you for taking action!

Sincerely, 
All of us at CCE

Support Clean Water and a Healthy Environment in NYS

Support a $500 million Environmental Protection Fund in this year’s final New York State budget

Since 1993, the New York State Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) has invested in projects to protect and restore our land, air, and water resources in every community across the state. EPF programs help to create jobs, support tourism, protect clean water, conserve open space, save family farms, bolster recycling programs, revitalize waterfronts, build community parks, and so much more. The EPF supports 350,000 jobs across the state, and EPF-supported industries generate approximately $40 billion in economic activity every year. 

As we combat harmful algal blooms from nitrogen pollution, a solid waste crisis, climate change, and water pollution across our state, it is more important than ever to make crucial investments in environmental protection this year. Funding for the EPF has been stagnant in recent years and an increase is long overdue. 

While the Governor proposed maintaining a stagnant funding level in this year’s budget, the NYS Senate and Assembly budget proposals both included an increase to $500 million! We need $500 million in the final budget, with increases to specific programs in the EPF—specifically, we’re calling for at least $25 million for Ocean and Great Lakes program and at least $5 million for the South Shore Estuary Reserve program. 

The final NYS budget is due on April 1. Email Governor Hochul and legislative leaders today and urge them to provide $500 million for the Environmental Protection Fund, including increases for the Ocean and Great Lakes and for the South Shore Estuary Reserve, in this year’s final budget!

Thank you for taking action!

Sincerely, 
All of us at CCE

Highlights and Happenings: February 2025

Help CCE build on our success, and support our campaigns to protect public health and the environment in NY and CT. 
Make a contribution today.

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Highlights

Celebrating 40 Years! 
We are celebrating 40 years of working to protect our air, land, and water—and fight climate change! Your generosity has given us 40 incredible years! Help us to keep up the fight and continue our mission of empowering communities and advocating solutions. Together we can make a difference! Your contribution helps us continue our fight for a cleaner, healthier future! Please support us today! 

Turn Off the Tap to Toxic PFAS Chemicals! 
We joined advocates from across the state in Albany to fight to prohibit the unnecessary use of PFAS chemicals in a variety of consumer products. The ubiquitous use of these “forever” chemicals has contributed to the contamination of drinking water sources across NYS and threatens our health. We are fighting to ban the use of PFAS chemicals in a host of everyday products, including rugs, cookware, paints, children’s products, dental floss, and cleaning products. Take action today and urge your elected representatives to support passage of this critical legislation in 2025. 

Adrienne Esposito wins LI Herald Sustainability Award 
Congrats to our Executive Director, Adrienne Esposito, for being honored at the first ever Long Island Herald’s Sustainability Awards, powered by Reworld Waste. It was a great event with fantastic honorees, including other advocates that we have worked with for decades! Congrats to all! 

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Happenings

Fighting for Clean Water
Clean water is an essential human need and is vital to our health and economy. NY’s historic investments have produced significant results for clean water, but NY’s clean water needs remain at nearly $90 billion. We joined our NY Clean Water Coalition partners to host the 7th Annual Clean Water Forum, where experts spoke about New York’s top 2025 priorities, including protecting drinking water from emerging contaminants, replacing lead pipes, upgrading wastewater infrastructure, and more. A key priority is increasing clean water funding in this year’s state budget. If you haven’t yet, email Governor Hochul and your Legislative leaders and urge them to provide at least $600 million for the Clean Water Infrastructure Act in the 2025-2026 NYS budget. 

Another Step Forward on Great Lakes Restoration 
In February, the U.S. Senate joined the House in introducing the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2025—to reauthorize the successful program for another 5 years at $500 million annually. We need your help to ensure that this bill is passed into law—please email your Congressional representatives today! 

Bringing Together a Diverse Group to Fight for Long Island
Last month, the Long Island Lobby Coalition, representing a diverse group of Long Island small business, civic, human service, downtown planner, labor, environment, student, and transportation advocates, headed to Albany for the Long Island Coalition Lobby Day. We spoke to Long Island’s Assembly and Senate representatives and the Governor’s staff about a range of issues, including sewer infrastructure, drinking water protection, renewable energy, transportation, and much more. Thanks to all who took the trip up to Albany and advocated for Long Islanders with us! 

Supporting Increased Funding for the Environmental Protection Fund
New York’s environment, economy, and public health are dependent upon the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF). From Buffalo to Long Island, all New Yorkers benefit from the numerous programs and projects in the EPF. EPF projects improve water quality, protect clean air, conserve open space, save family farms, bolster recycling programs, revitalize waterfronts, build community parks, and more. In February, we joined advocates from across the state to call on elected officials to increase the EPF to $500 million. 

Updates on Our Work to Advance Offshore Wind: 

• Follow Wind Works New York - We’re excited to share that Wind Works New York has officially moved to a new public Facebook page! Follow or Like Wind Works New York to get the latest updates on offshore wind news, events, and actions and share with the people you know who care about clean energy. 

• Excelsior Wind Begins Federal Approval Process - Vineyard Offshore and Excelsior Wind have begun the federal permitting process for their Vineyard Mid-Atlantic Lease Area. This project has the potential to provide enough to power approximately 1.5 million NY homes. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) published Notice of Intent (NOI) to start an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), and we worked with our Wind Works partner groups to submit comments.

• Upcoming: Climate Change Symposium 
Join us on Thursday, April 10, from 9:30am - 12:00pm at Babylon Town Hall for our Climate Change Symposium. This is an exciting educational program to explore how climate change is impacting our local community and what you can do to help. Featured speakers include Dr. Paul Shepson, Dean of The School for Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University and Dr. J Bret Bennington, Professor and Chair of the Dept of Geology, Environment, and Sustainability, Hofstra University, amongst others. Register today. 

• A Windy Day on the Water – This past fall, we joined many of our Wind Works NY partners for an incredible trip out to see South Fork Wind, NY’s first offshore wind farm located 35 miles off the coast of Montauk. The project is now supplying clean, renewable energy to 70,000 homes on the south fork of Long Island. In fact, it is generating more power than expected! Learn more about the trip and South Fork Wind by watching our video, A Windy Day on the Water and check out our YouTube Channel and social media pages for additional Offshore Wind Chats. 

Combatting PFAS Contamination in Calverton, Long Island 
We are working with a coalition of municipalities, elected leaders, other environmental groups, and community members in Calverton to address legacy contamination from the Navy/Grumman site. Toxic soil and water contamination at the site was discovered as far back as the mid-1980s. This contamination, including PFAS “forever chemicals,” migrated off site and contaminated residential drinking water wells and surface waters. The community is still working for the groundwater plume and soil contamination to be remediated. Last month we joined Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine to call on the US Navy to clean up toxic PFAS contamination in Calverton. The Navy needs to step up and clean up their mess to protect families and the environment. Watch our Executive Director’s comments here. 

Banning 1,4-Dioxane in Household Products in Connecticut 
1,4-Dioxane is an emerging contaminant and likely carcinogen found in drinking water throughout the nation. Our independent testing found this “hidden carcinogen” in 65 out of 80 products we tested (including shampoos, body washes, baby products, laundry detergents, hand and dish soaps). As a result, New York became the first state in the nation to ban 1,4-dioxane from products. NY’s law took full effect last year and has been an overwhelming success. Now, Connecticut is considering similar legislation. We testified in support of banning 1,4-dioxane in household products at the Environment Committee last month and are urging the General Assembly to protect public health and drinking water by banning this hidden carcinogen. 

Pushing for the Environment at NYS Senator Anthony Palumbo’s Roundtable 
We joined NYS Senator Palumbo’s annual environmental roundtable with over two dozen Long Island environmental organizations, and discussed local and regional environmental issues, concerns and needs. We urged our Long Island elected leaders to pass the ban on PFAS in everyday products and fund the Environmental Protection Fund, including increasing funding for the South Shore Estuary Reserve. 

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Upcoming: Learning about Propel NY 
New York Power Authority and New York Transco are hosting Propel NY Energy Community Information Sessions on Long Island. We recently attended an informative session, but if you missed it, there are more to come. Sessions include Q&A through written questions and answers from experts. Following the session there will be an open house to allow attendees the opportunity to speak to the experts one-on-one. Register here. 

Upcoming: Whale Tales and Real Facts 
Humpbacks, Minke, Right Whales, oh my! There are many species of whales that inhabit our waters throughout the year. Join us to learn more about these whales off New York’s coast and the threats whales are facing. This virtual forum will feature whale experts that have decades of experience in tracking individual whales, conducting necropsies on deceased whales, and monitoring growing threats to whales and other marine mammals. Please join us for our free virtual webinar on March 19th at noon and learn more. Register here. 

Upcoming: Long Island Sound Summit
The Long Island Sound Coastal Watershed Network will be hosting its second LIS Summit on March 27 from 11am-2:45pm at Housatonic Community College in CT. The Summit is for everyone who lives, works, and plays in the Long Island Sound region. Clean water advocates, municipal leaders, and local individuals and groups looking for actionable ways to reduce their pollution contributions to LIS might find it especially engaging and helpful. This is a great opportunity to gather in person to learn, network, exchange ideas, and celebrate the work we’ve already accomplished for Long Island Sound. Register today.