The Delaware Riverkeeper Network in a press release criticized the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for moving to rescind or delay federal drinking water limits for certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), warning the change would weaken public health protections nationwide.
The EPA has proposed a rule that would rescind regulatory determinations and standards for PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA (GenX) and PFAS mixtures, while delaying implementation of maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for PFOA and PFOS. The 2024 rule set limits of 4 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS, along with 10 parts per trillion for several other PFAS compounds, and established a hazard index for mixtures.
Tracy Carluccio, deputy director of the Delaware Riverkeeper Network urged the public to submit comments on the proposal.
Carluccio said the rule reversal undermines the first federal PFAS drinking water standards adopted since 1996 and would increase exposure to chemicals linked to serious illness.
The EPA will accept public comments for 60 days following publication in the Federal Register at www.regulations.gov under docket EPA-HQ-OW-2025-0654. A public hearing is scheduled for July 7.
The Riverkeeper Network also argued that delaying or eliminating the standards would shift the burden to states, noting that several, including New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware, have already adopted their own PFAS limits.
