Catch up on the latest news and analysis from EWG’s team of experts.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 30
Abandoned: Unsafe ‘forever chemicals’ levels in thousands of drinking water samples near 63 military bases
Across the U.S., the Defense Department has contaminated potentially thousands of private drinking water wells with dangerous amounts of the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS. But the DOD has...
As veterans grapple with toxic exposures, demand for health care surges
One year ago today, President Joe Biden signed the bipartisan Sergeant First Class Heath Robinsons Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act, or PACT Act. He heralded the law as the...
Congress shouldn’t create a polluter holiday for ‘forever chemicals’
With more than 2,800 contaminated sites across the U.S., pollution from the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS has created an urgent national health crisis. But rather than hold the polluting...
Five ways a hidden Pentagon health study undercounts ‘forever chemicals’ risks
The Defense Department may be underestimating by hundreds of thousands the number of people at military installations drinking water contaminated with the “forever chemicals” known as PFAS. The DOD’s...
Dozens of Coast Guard bases could be contaminated with ‘forever chemicals’
At least 24 Coast Guard bases across the U.S. are now suspected of contamination by the toxic fluorinated “forever chemicals” known as PFAS, according to EWG’s updated analysis of records from the...
Most of DOD sites with ‘forever chemicals’ contamination exceed EPA health levels
At least two-thirds of the 389 Defense Department sites in the U.S. where the “forever chemicals” known as PFAS have been detected in groundwater are contaminated with levels above new health...
It’s time to end the use of ‘forever chemicals’ in firefighting ‘turnout gear’
What happens if life-saving equipment also poisons your body? Ask a firefighter – it’s been happening to them for the past half-century.
TOPGUN Navy base has top ‘forever chemicals’ contamination
Extremely high levels of the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS have been detected at the home of the Navy’s famous TOPGUN training school, at Fallon Naval Air Station, in Nevada.
Military’s Filthy 50 sites contaminated with ‘forever chemicals’ haven’t started cleanup
The military has not begun cleanups at any of the 50 Department of Defense sites Congress has identified as highly contaminated with the “forever chemicals” known as PFAS – and it could be years...
Environmental injustice: Passing on the costs of ‘forever chemicals’ cleanup
Setting a national drinking water standard for the “forever chemicals” known as PFAS – and passing the implementation costs to ratepayers and private well owners, while letting industry to keep...
Department of Defense fights states over cleanup of toxic ‘forever chemicals’
For years, states have led the way in addressing the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS, with six setting strict drinking water limits for the chemicals and at least eight using their power under...
U.S. government’s $650 billion buying power could move markets to PFAS-free products
Curbing the needless use of the toxic "forever chemicals" known as PFAS could end their cycle of contamination, and the U.S. government has an extraordinary ability to move markets to PFAS-free...
Almost 250 DOD sites have detectable levels of ‘forever chemical’ PFHxS
A toxic “forever chemical” detected in the blood of West Virginia residents is also commonly found in the groundwater or drinking water or both of almost 250 Department of Defense sites.
Decades later, plumes of ‘forever chemicals’ from Defense installations still contaminate nearby wells
Decades after polluting their well water, the Defense Department is still providing water filters and bottled water to at least 47 communities it contaminated with the “forever chemicals” known as...
PFAS: What the Defense Department’s inspector general found, ignored and obscured
The Senate’s homeland security panel will hold a critical hearing this Thursday on a shocking inspector general report that found the Defense Department failed to protect service members and their...
The Pentagon’s toxic ‘forever chemicals’ waste could be burning near your home
Industrial facilities across the country could be unwittingly burning the Pentagon’s legacy firefighting foam, according to an analysis of Pentagon records. The firefighting foam is made with the...
Here’s a PFAS roadmap for Congress – and the rest of the Biden administration
Here are six things Congress must do right away to turn off the tap of PFAS pollution, reduce PFAS in drinking water and household products, and clean up legacy PFAS contamination, especially at...
‘Forever chemicals’ contamination at Gulf of Mexico Defense Department sites threatens fish, residents
Groundwater from at least 13 Defense Department sites in the Gulf of Mexico region is contaminated with high levels of the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS, according to DOD records obtained by...
Local fire departments need Congress’ help for switch to PFAS-free foam and gear
Firefighters are among those most highly exposed to harms from the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS through their protective gear and firefighting foam, but many local fire departments lack the...
‘Forever chemicals’ contamination at Defense Department sites threatens Great Lakes fish and residents
Groundwater from at least six Defense Department sites in the Great Lakes region is contaminated with high levels of the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS, according to DOD records obtained by...
