The report by the Department of Health and Human Services shows that toxic nonstick chemicals that have leaked into communities’ drinking water supplies endanger human health at levels the EPA had previously deemed safe. | Alex Brandon/AP Photo Trump administration finally issues report on toxic chemicals

The Trump administration finally released a delayed report on toxic water contamination on Wednesday, months after White House officials expressed fears it would spark a “public relations nightmare” if released.

As expected, the report by the Department of Health and Human Services shows that toxic nonstick chemicals that have leaked into communities’ drinking water supplies endanger human health at levels the EPA had previously deemed safe.


POLITICO first reported last month on the delay in publishing the report, which followed an intervention by White House and EPA officials, including EPA Chief of Staff Ryan Jackson.

The 852-page scientific draft assessment of so-called PFAS chemicals, posted Wednesday by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, details how people are exposed to the chemicals and the health risks the chemicals pose to populations ranging from infants and breastfeeding mothers to adult males. It finds that the chemicals can pose risks to the most vulnerable populations at levels lower than those EPA had deemed safe in its 2016 health advisory for two of the chemicals, known as PFOA and PFOS.

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The chemicals at issue in the HHS study have long been used in products such as Teflon and firefighting foam, and are contaminating water systems around the country. They have been linked to thyroid defects, pregnancy problems and certain cancers, even at low levels of exposure.

The problem has already proved to be enormously costly for chemicals manufacturers. The 3M Co., which used them to make Scotchgard, paid more than $1.5 billion to settle lawsuits related to water contamination and personal injury claims.

EPA will hold its first community meeting on PFAS in New Hampshire next week.

