Fact Check: Biden's EPA set first-ever limits on six types of forever chemicals.

Fact Check: Biden's EPA Set First-Ever Limits on Six Types of Forever Chemicals

What We Know

On April 10, 2024, the Biden-Harris Administration announced the establishment of the first-ever national drinking water standards for per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly referred to as "forever chemicals." This landmark regulation sets legally enforceable limits on six specific PFAS: PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA (also known as GenX), and a mixture standard for certain combinations of these chemicals (EPA Press Release, EPA PFAS Overview). The new standards aim to protect approximately 100 million people from the harmful effects associated with PFAS exposure, which can include serious health issues such as cancer and developmental damage in children (EPA Press Release).

Analysis

The claim that the Biden administration's EPA has set limits on six types of forever chemicals is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The announcement from the EPA details the establishment of Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for the specified PFAS, which are enforceable under federal law (EPA PFAS Overview). Additionally, the Associated Press reported on the significance of this regulation, emphasizing that it marks a critical step in addressing widespread PFAS contamination in drinking water (AP News).

The reliability of the sources is high, as they come directly from the EPA and reputable news outlets. The EPA's own documentation provides a thorough explanation of the regulatory framework and the health implications of PFAS, while the AP News article corroborates the announcement with additional context about the impact of these chemicals on public health (AP News, EPA PFAS Overview).

Critically, the announcement also includes a commitment to provide funding for states to implement testing and treatment solutions for PFAS, further demonstrating the administration's proactive approach to this public health issue (EPA Press Release). This comprehensive strategy reflects a significant shift in federal policy towards environmental protection and public health, particularly in relation to long-standing pollutants like PFAS.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that Biden's EPA has set first-ever limits on six types of forever chemicals is accurate. The regulation, which establishes enforceable drinking water standards for these harmful substances, represents a significant advancement in public health policy aimed at reducing exposure to toxic chemicals in drinking water across the United States.

Sources

1. Biden-Harris Administration Finalizes First-Ever National Drinking Water Standard to Protect 100M People from PFAS Pollution
2. Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) | US EPA
3. Key EPA Actions to Address PFAS | US EPA
4. EPA sets first-ever limits on PFAS in water | AP News
5. What the EPA's partial rollback of the 'forever chemical' drinking water standards means
6. Trump touts MAHA. But deregulating 'forever chemicals' would do the opposite.
7. With Biden/Hur Tapes Released the Question is, Who Was Running the Country?
8. EPA announces first-ever national standard limiting 'forever chemicals'