As Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pushes for stricter action against toxic “forever chemicals,” Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin is drawing harsh criticism for moves that could undermine national water safety efforts.
In a powerful MSNBC column, environmental journalists Rachel Frazin and Sharon Udasin—co-authors of Poisoning the Well: How Forever Chemicals Contaminated America—warn that the Trump administration is jeopardizing public health by rolling back vital EPA regulations.
“Today, the Trump administration is currently straddling the divide between the burgeoning MAHA movement and its traditional big business allies,” the authors wrote, referencing the “Make America Healthy Again” slogan popularized by Kennedy.
Forever chemicals, or PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), are a group of more than 15,000 synthetic compounds widely used in manufacturing. These substances do not break down in the environment and are linked to serious health issues, including kidney and testicular cancer, infertility, and developmental problems in children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly 45% of Americans are exposed to these chemicals through their tap water.
“While the impacts of PFAS contamination are ubiquitous — they pose a potential threat to every single American — among the most affected communities are those that live downstream from industrial or military discharges,” the column states.
The authors acknowledged Kennedy’s recent announcement to investigate PFAS as a step in the right direction, suggesting it “could go beyond the actions taken by the Biden administration.” However, they argue that the good intentions are being undermined by Zeldin’s leadership at the EPA.
“Many officials with chemical industry ties have been given major roles at the EPA,” Frazin and Udasin wrote. “The agency has rescinded a portion of the drinking water regulations and said that it plans to roll back regulations on other toxic chemicals.”
In their view, Zeldin’s actions effectively weaken Biden-era rules that restricted four PFAS compounds from entering the drinking water supply. Despite this, the authors noted that two of the original restrictions remain in place, and companies have until 2031 to eliminate those substances from public water systems.
If Kennedy and the Trump administration are serious about delivering on their “Make America Healthy Again” promise, the writers argue, cracking down on PFAS is a critical place to start. But with key regulatory protections now in jeopardy, they warn that “every single American” could be at increased risk unless the administration reconsiders its approach.