EPA Launches Initiative to Tackle ‘Forever Chemicals’ in America’s Drinking Water

About 50 percent of the tap water in the United States was contaminated with these chemicals, according to a USGS study.

Water from a tap fills a glass in San Anselmo, Calif., on July 6, 2023. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on April 14 launched a new initiative to reduce contamination of so-called forever chemicals in drinking water nationwide.

Forever chemicals, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are man-made chemicals used in industry and consumer products that persist in the environment for a long time. Exposure to PFAS is linked to several health issues, including cancers and negative effects on reproduction and immune function.