Hollywood Star Urges Biden To Do What?
As the possibility of a second term for President Trump looms, actor and activist Mark Ruffalo is urging the Biden administration to take swift and decisive action to address the growing threat of “forever chemicals” – toxic substances that have been wreaking havoc on American communities for decades. These chemicals, known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are found in a range of products, from firefighting foam to household goods, and have been linked to serious health issues such as cancer, liver disease, and developmental problems in children.
Ruffalo recently spoke at a webinar hosted by the Environmental Working Group, where he praised the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its efforts to address PFAS contamination. However, he emphasized that more needs to be done. “The EPA has worked tirelessly to establish drinking water standards for these chemicals,” Ruffalo said, but he believes the Biden administration must go further to hold the corporations responsible for poisoning communities and the environment. “We need to hold these companies accountable, before it’s too late.”
While the Biden administration has made strides in addressing the PFAS crisis, activists like Ruffalo worry that these efforts may not be completed before a potential change in leadership. In April, the EPA designated certain PFAS as hazardous substances under the Superfund law, allowing the government to clean up contaminated sites and hold polluters accountable. Additionally, the agency has set limits on PFAS in drinking water and is working to prevent the approval of new PFAS chemicals through relaxed reviews. But for many in affected communities, these actions don’t go far enough or fast enough.
In particular, activists are pushing for the EPA to implement stricter regulations on PFAS discharges into water systems. While a proposal has been under review for months, the process is bogged down in bureaucracy, raising concerns that the issue may not be addressed before President Biden’s term ends.
Local activists, like Brenda Hampton from northern Alabama, are especially frustrated by the lack of progress. In her region, PFAS-contaminated industrial runoff has poisoned the Tennessee River, leading to a growing number of deaths and illnesses. Hampton hopes that federal action will provide a permanent solution to the crisis, one that cannot be easily overturned by a future administration.
Despite the progress made by the Biden administration, many are anxious about the possibility of a second Trump presidency, which could derail efforts to regulate PFAS. Activists like Hampton and Emily Donovan, who is leading the fight in North Carolina, are already preparing to continue their efforts at the state and local levels, pushing Republican governors and lawmakers to take action against polluting industries.
Ruffalo, however, remains optimistic that the issue of clean water can unite Americans across political lines. “Every Republican wants clean water. Every working-class person wants clean water,” he argued, suggesting that the focus on water quality could be one area where bipartisan cooperation is possible. He even called on Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who may play a role in the Trump administration, to prioritize PFAS cleanup.
Ultimately, Ruffalo’s message is clear: The fight for clean water is not about partisan politics; it’s about protecting the health and safety of American families. As communities across the nation continue to suffer from PFAS contamination, the pressure is on Washington to act – before it’s too late.
