IOWA, USA — The Environmental Protection Agency is offering funding to small or disadvantaged Iowa communities to address contamination from forever chemicals in their drinking water. 

PFAS, more widely known as forever chemicals, are a group of man-made substances capable of withstanding heat and moisture, making them a go-to for manufacturers of firefighting foam, waterproof shoes and even cosmetics. Their durability also means they don’t break down in the environment — or the body. 

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PFAS have been linked to an increased risk of certain cancers, heart disease and birth defects.

The Trump administration’s EPA is offering $9,457,000 in grant funds designed to address PFAS and other emerging contaminants in Iowans’ drinking water, the agency said in a release. Communities, drinking water systems and private well owners can all apply for the grants. 

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Across the county, $1 billion in new funding is available through the grant program, called Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities. EPA officials said they have now made $5 billion available over five years through the program.

“This new funding is part of a comprehensive, lifecycle-based strategy to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances that underscores EPA’s commitment to Making America Healthy Again by ensuring clean water for all,” the EPA said. 

The funding announcement came the same day the EPA rolled back regulations for certain PFAS, saying the Biden administration moved too fast in setting limits. The agency said it plans to restart the rule-making process, a process that could take years.

The EPA maintained the strictest limits for the two most common and widely studied PFAS compounds, PFOA and PFOS.