Despite fear of risks, The US Environmental Protection Agency is fast-tracking approval for new PFAS chemicals in the semiconductor industry, raising concerns about increased pollution.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is accelerating the approval process for new PFAS chemicals, also known as ‘forever chemicals,’ to be used in the semiconductor industry.
According to a report by The Guardian, even as the agency publicly emphasises greater oversight of these substances, this review comes at a time when semiconductor production in the US is increasing, raising concerns about the potential for heightened pollution from little-understood PFAS chemicals. These substances are known to be toxic, accumulate in the environment, and contribute to climate change.
Experts are alarmed by the EPA’s approach, who have stated that the agency is overly accommodating to the semiconductor industry. The approval could lead to greater PFAS contamination, noting that the public is increasingly concerned about the presence of these chemicals in drinking water and the air.
They have also added that the EPA’s actions are at odds with the growing scientific and public outcry regarding PFAS pollution.
PFAS are a group of approximately 15,000 chemicals used to make products resistant to heat, stains, and water. Known for their persistence in the environment, they have been linked to various serious health issues, including cancer, liver damage, thyroid problems, birth defects, and kidney disease.
Despite the risks, the semiconductor industry, vital for electronics in defence, medical devices, smartphones, and clean energy, remains a significant source of PFAS pollution, which poses a challenge to the Biden administration’s efforts to curb such contamination.
