EPA’s new definition of PFAS could omit thousands of ‘forever chemicals’

Agency plans a case-by-case' approach that allows for flexibility, but critics say this is not a new definition - it is a lack of definition'

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) office responsible for protecting the public from toxic substances has changed how it defines PFAS for a second time since 2021, a move critics say they fear will exclude thousands of forever chemicals" from regulation and largely benefit industry.

Instead of using a clear definition of what constitutes a PFAS, the agency's Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics plans to take a case-by-case" approach that allows it to be more flexible in determining which chemicals should be subjected to regulations.