A Dangerous Chemical May Be In Your Tap Water — But The Trump Admin Doesn’t Want You To Know That

The Trump administration has been delaying the release of a scientific report about PFNA, a dangerous “forever chemical” that has been found in the tap water of 28 states. This chemical, part of the PFAS family, stays in the environment for a very long time and can build up in the human body. Despite the seriousness of the issue, a finalized report from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) scientists has been held back from publication since April. The agency publicly claims the report is not finished, even though experts say the science was completed months ago.

PFAS chemicals are used in many everyday products, including firefighting foam, nonstick pans, waterproof jackets, makeup, food packaging, and stain-resistant fabrics. They also end up in drinking water, and research shows they can cause serious health problems, including reproductive issues, developmental harm in babies, liver damage, and even cancer. The unpublished EPA report specifically found that PFNA can harm male reproductive systems, lowering testosterone and reducing sperm production.

Experts believe the delay is tied to politics. The Biden administration had increased regulations on PFAS, setting limits on how much of these chemicals can be in drinking water. Under the Trump administration, many of those protections are now being weakened or reversed. In fact, several chemical companies explicitly asked the incoming administration to freeze PFAS rules, and that seems to be happening. Releasing a report that shows PFNA is harmful might work against the administration’s efforts to loosen environmental regulations, so the report appears to be kept out of public view.

This is part of a larger pattern. In the past, the Trump administration has also buried other scientific studies that conflicted with its political goals, including a federal report about the dangers of alcohol consumption and earlier research showing PFAS chemicals were more harmful than previously believed. Some EPA scientists say their work is being blocked or downgraded, even after passing rigorous peer review.

Meanwhile, millions of people in the U.S. are drinking water with PFNA or other PFAS chemicals at unsafe levels. Many assume water contamination only happens in places like Flint, Michigan, but experts say the problem is widespread. Black and Hispanic communities are especially affected, facing higher exposure and fewer resources to respond.

Since the government is stalling action, experts recommend that people speak up. They suggest calling your state representatives and local water utility to ask about PFAS levels in your area. Some states are trying to pass their own protections because federal safeguards are weakening.

For people who can afford it, at-home water filters are an immediate way to reduce PFAS exposure. Systems like reverse osmosis can remove a wide range of harmful chemicals, including PFNA, but not all filters are effective. Products certified by NSF International or the Water Quality Association are the safest option. Unfortunately, many families cannot pay for expensive filters, which is why experts emphasize that clean water should be a government responsibility, not an individual burden.

Scientists who worked on the PFNA assessment say they fear the public will lose trust in the EPA, even though the scientists themselves are doing their jobs carefully and honestly. The issue, they explain, is political interference from the top. The people researching PFAS want the public to have this information, but the administration appears to be blocking it.

Environmental advocates say the public must pressure lawmakers, ask for transparency, and push for better labeling and safer alternatives to products containing PFAS. Without public pressure, they warn, polluters and political interests will continue to override health protections.

Experts say this problem is solvable—technology exists to remove these chemicals from water systems—but without strong regulations and public demand, little will change.