As concerns about water safety grow, the Environmental Protection Agency is making headlines with its decision to relax restrictions on PFAS chemicals in drinking water. This controversial move is a hot topic at the National PFAS Conference, ongoing at the University of Arizona.
Paloma Beamer, a co-chair of the conference, emphasized the importance of collaboration: “Bringing people from different states together about how they tackle these issues in their states might be perhaps our most powerful contribution at a time when the federal laws are a little bit more difficult.”
Despite this collaborative spirit, numerous participants voiced frustration over perceived inaction by federal and state authorities regarding PFAS contamination. Julia Varshavsky of Northeastern University noted, “They know better. … They know better because the science has been there for many years. They know better, let’s make them do better.”
PFAS, often referred to as “forever chemicals,” have been associated with adverse health effects, including certain types of cancer. Avi Kar from the Natural Resources Defense Council highlighted the need for systemic changes: “People can take steps in their own lives to reduce exposures to some degree, but at the end of the day, when it’s so widespread, we need policy solutions.”
In Tucson, the use of firefighting foams at Davis Monthan Air Force Base has contributed to groundwater contamination. Similar issues have been identified in public water systems throughout the state, echoing stories from communities nationwide. Recent developments include the EPA’s proposed reduction of its Office of Research and Development and plans to limit federal water safety protections.
Gretchen Salter from Safer States, a network of environmental health organizations, commented on the broader implications: “So we are seeing an assault really on public health. But what’s happening is that you have communities like this that are fighting back.”
