Abstract
Sweeping legislation to control pollution from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in land, water, and air passed the US House of Representatives July 21. If approved by the Senate and signed by President Joe Biden, the measure could cost the fluorochemical industry millions to clean up contaminated sites and restrict releases of PFAS pollution from factories. Chemical manufacturers would also have to sponsor toxicity studies in order to keep their PFAS on the US market. In addition, the bill would forbid introducing new PFAS into US commerce for 5 years. PFAS, a group of more than 9,000 synthetic compounds, are sturdy molecules that withstand harsh conditions and strongly resist degradation in the environment, earning them the nickname “forever chemicals.” Only a small number of these substances have been studied for toxicity, and some are linked to human health problems including birth defects and endocrine disruption. Congressional lawmakers are increasingly concerned
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