A defense bill released by a congressional conference committee Dec. 9 dropped provisions that would have restricted discharges of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances—a class of chemical compounds known as PFAS—from manufacturers into water supplies and designated PFAS as “hazardous substances” under the federal Superfund law.
The provisions, sought by environmental advocates and others, would have also required utilities to reduce the amount of PFAS in tap water under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Many environmental advocates viewed the $738-billion act as their best opportunity for addressing PFAS during this session of Congress.