On February 6, 2026, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin released a significant action list outlining measures the agency will take during the first year of the Trump administration to address the risks posed by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination, contributing to the goal of "Making America Healthy Again."
Five Key Action Areas
1. Chemical Regulation
- Regulating new and existing chemicals under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), requiring companies to provide safety data and restricting harmful uses.
2. Drinking Water Standards
- Establishing protective standards under the Safe Drinking Act and implementing nationwide monitoring of water supply systems.
3. Contaminated Site Cleanup
- Cleaning up sites where contamination exceeds safe levels, guided by laws such as the Superfund Act.
4. Industrial Pollution Control
- Controlling air and water pollution from industrial sources under the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act.
5. Advanced Research
- Enhancing understanding of thousands of PFAS compounds and developing new treatment technologies.
Advancing PFAS Detection
Two Fundamental Detection Methods:
- Targeted Analysis: Measures specific PFAS compounds from a known list with high precision.
- Non-Targeted Analysis: Uses advanced instruments to detect both known and unknown PFAS for comprehensive contamination assessment.
Multi-Dimensional Detection Approaches:
1. Drinking Water:
- The EPA employs three primary laboratory methods for detecting PFAS in tap water, all utilizing high-sensitivity instruments capable of identifying trace amounts. One method measures 18 PFAS, including a chemical related to GenX. A second, older method measures 14 PFAS and is mainly used for historical reference. A third method uses advanced configurations to measure 25 PFAS, improving accuracy.
2. Surface Water:
- The EPA has developed methods for detecting PFAS in surface water, wastewater, and solid materials. One method measures 24 PFAS in non-potable water (e.g., groundwater, rivers, lakes, and wastewater). Another method, developed in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Defense, measures 40 PFAS in wastewater, surface water, groundwater, soil, sludge, sediment, landfill leachate, and even fish tissue.
3. Air:
- The EPA is developing methods to measure PFAS emitted into the air from factories and other facilities. One air detection method measures 50 PFAS attached to particulate matter or with semi-volatility. Another method uses specialized metal canisters to measure 30 more volatile PFAS.
