The CEO of the Suffolk County Water Authority, Jeff Szabo, along with two national utility trade groups representing several Long Island water providers, have filed a federal lawsuit aiming to reverse the regulations placed on toxic “forever chemicals” by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last April. These new restrictions established maximum contaminant levels for six groups of PFAs, commonly known as “forever chemicals,” with two of the most prevalent ones restricted to 4 parts per trillion — essentially equating to one drop of water in 20 Olympic-sized pools.
This lawsuit is now consolidated with another case initiated by various chemical and manufacturing companies, all seeking to nullify the EPA’s guidelines under the Biden administration. Jeff Szabo expressed concerns that the EPA’s failure to adhere to proper protocols could establish a troubling precedent for managing future contaminants.
Both groups argue that the EPA did not follow the correct procedures in determining the limits, and complying with the new standards would impose significant costs on companies nationwide, amounting to billions of dollars annually. Jeff Szabo underscored the potential consequences, emphasizing the need for the EPA to adhere to appropriate guidelines to safeguard against future pollutants.
PFAs, or Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, comprise over 14,000 chemicals utilized in various products such as nonstick cookware and food containers. Referred to as “forever chemicals” due to their persistent nature, PFAs have been detected in the majority of Long Island’s drinking water, as confirmed by numerous independent studies and officials. Health experts have linked these chemicals to severe health issues like cancer, organ damage, and infertility upon ingestion.
While proponents of deregulation argue that it would stimulate competition and economic growth, some local leaders oppose rolling back standards. Nassau Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, a vocal opponent of the lawsuit, has called it a public health crisis and emphasized the necessity of enhancing Long Island’s water quality. She is advocating for increased investments in water infrastructure to enable public water facilities to effectively filter out harmful chemicals and ensure the health and safety of residents.
Solages criticized the notion that profitability should take precedence over public health, highlighting the importance of stringent regulations to protect communities from exposure to harmful substances. Despite existing legal thresholds for these chemicals being met on Long Island, Solages and health experts stress that adherence to legal limits does not guarantee overall health safety, as there is no known “safe” level of exposure to these chemicals.
