EPA Backtracks on PFAS Phase-Out: PFOA and PFOS Still in Use 2026

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has quietly backtracked on its claim that the US has phased out two of the most dangerous PFAS compounds: PFOA and PFOS. This reversal comes despite mounting evidence that virtually no level of exposure to these chemicals in drinking water is safe.

The EPA's own findings show that PFOA and PFOS pose serious health risks, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies PFOA as "carcinogenic to humans" and PFOS as "possibly carcinogenic." Yet the agency is still allowing Houston-based Inhance to produce containers from which PFOA has been found to leach at high levels into the containers' contents.

What Are PFOA and PFOS?

PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate) are part of a larger group of chemicals known as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These chemicals have been used for decades in a wide range of products, from non-stick cookware to firefighting foam, due to their water- and grease-resistant properties.

They are often called "forever chemicals" because they do not break down easily in the environment or the human body. Exposure to PFOA and PFOS has been linked to serious health problems, including cancer, liver damage, immune system suppression, and developmental issues in children.

The EPA's Quiet Backtrack

In 2015, facing intense pressure, the EPA reached an agreement with eight PFAS producers to "phase out" production of PFOA and PFOS. This move was prompted by documents made public during landmark litigation in the early 2000s over DuPont's PFAS pollution in West Virginia, which revealed the chemicals' dangers.

However, the EPA has now quietly stepped back from that claim. According to recent reporting, the agency acknowledges that the phase-out is not complete and that PFOA and PFOS are still being used in some manufacturing processes. This is particularly concerning because the EPA has also found that virtually no level of exposure to these chemicals in drinking water is safe.

Inhance and the Ongoing Threat

One company at the center of this issue is Inhance, a Houston-based manufacturer that produces up to 200 million plastic containers annually for use across the US economy. These containers are made using a process that can leave PFOA as an impurity, and tests have shown that PFOA can leach from the containers into their contents at high levels.

Kyla Bennett, a former EPA scientist and current science policy director at Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER), described the containers as presenting an "ongoing serious and ongoing threat to public health." Inhance has denied that the chemical leaches out in measurable levels, telling The Guardian that any PFOA from its products is merely an "impurity."

The situation raises serious questions about the effectiveness of the EPA's phase-out agreement and the agency's oversight of PFAS chemicals. It also highlights the challenges of regulating a class of chemicals that is so widespread and persistent.

Health Risks of PFAS Exposure

The health risks associated with PFOA and PFOS are well-documented. According to the EPA, exposure to these chemicals can lead to:

• Increased risk of certain cancers, including kidney and testicular cancer
• Liver damage and altered liver function
• Immune system suppression, reducing the body's ability to fight infections
• Developmental effects in children, including low birth weight and delayed puberty
• Increased cholesterol levels and risk of cardiovascular disease

These risks are particularly acute for vulnerable populations, such as pregnant women, infants, and communities living near industrial facilities that use PFAS.

What This Means for Drinking Water

The EPA's acknowledgment that no level of PFOA and PFOS in drinking water is safe is a significant shift. It means that even trace amounts of these chemicals can pose a health risk, and that water utilities may need to take action to remove them.

However, the agency has not yet set a federal maximum contaminant level (MCL) for PFOA and PFOS in drinking water. Instead, it has issued a health advisory level of 70 parts per trillion (ppt) for both chemicals combined. Many experts argue that this level is too high and that a more stringent standard is needed to protect public health. The background to this story is set out in Forever Chemicals Scandal: Cancer Risks from Pfoa Emissions. A related thread runs through PFAS in Sewage Fertilizer: Trump Officials Kill Regulations. Earlier coverage in PFAS Exposure Linked to Gut Inflammation in Children Early On shows how the argument developed.

The Road Ahead

The EPA's backtrack on the PFAS phase-out is a reminder that regulating these chemicals is an ongoing battle. Environmental groups and public health advocates are calling for stronger action, including a nationwide ban on PFOA and PFOS and stricter drinking water standards. A closer look at the same subject appears in PFAS 'Forever Chemicals' Burden on Parents: Why Systemic Change. Anyone following the wider picture can start with PFAS Chemicals in Children: Parents Can't Solve It Alone. The same theme surfaces in PFAS 'Forever Chemicals' Burden on Parents: Systemic Solutions, which takes a different angle.

Meanwhile, companies like Inhance continue to produce containers that may leach PFOA into the products people use every day. The EPA's next steps will be closely watched by scientists, policymakers, and affected communities. Context on how this played out before sits in PFAS Forever Chemicals Linked to Gut Inflammation in Children. A companion piece, Trump Officials Kill PFAS Sewage Sludge Fertilizer Rules, approaches the same subject from another angle.

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