North Carolina propels EPA to label more PFAS as toxic air pollutants

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, along with New Mexico and New Jersey, has petitioned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to designate four PFAS chemicals as Hazardous Air Pollutants. This request aims to enforce stricter regulations on these persistent environmental contaminants under the Clean Air Act.

The petition specifically targets PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, and GenX, seeking to reduce their emissions into the air and subsequent contamination of water sources. This move addresses a regulatory gap and targets a crucial aspect of the PFAS lifecycle: air emissions.

Despite challenges from state officials and industry groups that have stalled new PFAS regulations, this effort highlights the urgent need to address the serious health risks associated with these "forever chemicals." Stricter regulations could help mitigate further environmental and public health impacts.