The Environmental Protection Agency has revealed their strategy to limit PFAS, colloquially called “forever chemicals” due to their tendency to break down slowly over time. PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroakyl substances, and exposure to a certain quantity of it can be harmful to humans and animals. 

PFAS can be found in human and animal blood, as well as various food products such as fish and wildlife. Military bases are especially contaminated with PFAS, and part of the EPA’s plan is to accelerate the cleanup of such bases. The plan will also increase investment into research and development to discover how to prevent the spread of PFAS.

The reveal of the EPA’s new strategy comes at a time when PFAS are becoming more prevalent in public drinking water systems and food such as seafood and, according to a report from the Food and Drug Administration, store-bought chocolate cake.

The new plan cannot be enacted immediately since Congress needs to approve legislation. It is up to the Senate to decide when these new regulations can be enacted.

The American Chemistry Council has expressed its approval of the EPA’s new plan.