SOURCE:
https://www.fingerlakes1.com/2025/04/03/new-york-pfas-water-risk-epa-standards/
April 3, 2025
What It Means For Drinking Water
More than 1.3 million New Yorkers could lose critical protections from toxic “forever chemicals” in their drinking water if the Environmental Protection Agency weakens new federal PFAS standards, according to a report released Wednesday.
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) and Citizens Campaign for the Environment analyzed statewide data and found that 189 water systems, mainly on Long Island, could lose protections if the EPA rolls back current standards. These systems currently exceed federal safety levels for PFAS, but remain below New York’s less stringent limits.
What Are PFAS and Why They Matter
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are man-made chemicals that don’t break down in the environment. The human body accumulates these chemicals, and studies have linked them to cancer, reproductive issues, and immune system damage.
The EPA adopted strict new PFAS limits in April 2024. These include caps of 4 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOA and PFOS, and 10 ppt for GenX, PFHxS, and PFNA. The rule also sets a hazard index to account for combined exposure to several of the compounds.
By contrast, New York’s drinking water standards allow up to 10 ppt for PFOA and PFOS. The state does not regulate the other four chemicals addressed by the EPA rule.
Legal Challenge Could Change Everything
The fate of the federal rule now rests with EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. On February 7, a federal appeals court paused a legal challenge from water utilities and the chemical industry. The court gave the EPA until April 8 to decide whether to defend the rule, revise it, or rescind it entirely.
“If the EPA rolls back its PFAS drinking water standards, it would be nothing short of a betrayal of public health,” said Dr. David Andrews, acting chief science officer at EWG. “Even low doses of PFOA and PFOS have been linked to serious health risks.”
Without federal rules in place, communities would rely solely on New York’s weaker standards. That means many water systems could avoid taking action—even if PFAS contamination remains.
Local Communities Could Lose Protection
The joint analysis highlights several at-risk communities. If the EPA weakens the rule, water systems in Mayville, Carroll Water District, Cherry Creek, and Countyline Mobile Home Park could lose federal oversight.
Jared Hayes, senior policy analyst at EWG and co-author of the report, warned that military bases could also be affected. The Department of Defense has said it will only clean up PFAS where contamination occurred and only to the federal standard.
“Eliminating these limits would keep New York families exposed to contaminated drinking water,” Hayes said. “Nearly 200 water systems could avoid any cleanup, even though harmful chemicals are still present.”
Advocates Urge Zeldin to Follow Through
Citizens Campaign for the Environment Executive Director Adrienne Esposito called on Zeldin to put public health ahead of politics.
“I stood with Congressman Zeldin to call for strong federal PFAS drinking water standards,” Esposito said. “Now we’re counting on him to keep that promise.”
She warned that failing to uphold the new limits would allow chemical companies to keep polluting water systems across the country.
“Every Long Islander, New Yorker, and American deserves access to clean water,” she said. “The decision Zeldin makes will affect public health for generations.”
Health Risks of PFAS Exposure
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found PFAS in the blood of 99% of Americans, including newborns. These chemicals were used for decades in products like nonstick cookware, water-resistant fabrics, and firefighting foam.
For years, companies hid the health risks from regulators and the public. Now, independent studies have linked PFAS exposure to cancer, liver damage, immune dysfunction, and other serious conditions—even at very low levels.
“There is no safe level of exposure to PFAS in drinking water,” Esposito said. “This is a decision with life-or-death consequences.”