Assemblyman Keith Brown has joined a bipartisan group of state legislators in urging Governor Kathy Hochul to take action against the rollback of PFAS protections by the federal government. This follows the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal on May 14 to reduce enforceable limits on six PFAS chemicals, known for their persistence in the environment and links to health issues.
Brown emphasized that New York should not remain inactive despite federal changes. “The safety of our drinking water should never be up for debate,” he stated. “If the federal government is handing the reins to the state, then it’s up to the governor and state leadership to pick up the slack and ensure we are doing everything we can to remove these toxic chemicals from our water systems.”
New York’s department of health can maintain or strengthen PFAS standards under state law, independent of federal regulations. Although Governor Hochul has recognized potential risks from EPA’s proposal, she has not yet committed to maintaining current PFAS protections in state law.
“The governor has said the EPA’s rollback puts New Yorkers at risk, now it’s time to back those words with real action,” Brown added. “This is a moment for leadership, not lip service. Protecting our families from toxic exposure is not a partisan issue. It’s a basic duty of the government.”
Studies suggest that if this rollback proceeds, over 1.3 million New Yorkers could continue being exposed to PFAS-contaminated water, risking serious long-term health effects like cancer and liver damage.
“Clean water is not a luxury, it’s a necessity,” said Brown. “Let’s do the right thing. Let’s protect our residents now, before it’s too late.”
