Federal scrutiny of PFAS and related contaminants is intensifying as Ohio manufacturers continue pressing for a more workable approach in Columbus. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would add microplastics and pharmaceuticals to its sixth Contaminant Candidate List, beginning a new phase of monitoring under the Safe Drinking Water Act and helping shape what future drinking water regulation could look like. The move follows a petition from seven governors and 175 environmental and health groups, and that EPA also plans human-health benchmarks for 374 pharmaceuticals. The pressure is building as the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) warns House Bill 272 still threatens manufacturers with compliance uncertainty, supply chain disruption and sweeping future rulemaking authority over PFAS-containing products.

“Federal scrutiny is clearly moving in one direction, and that makes it even more important for Ohio to avoid a policy response that creates more confusion than clarity,” said James Lee, OMA managing director of public policy services. “Manufacturers need a science-based approach that protects health, preserves essential chemistries and gives businesses a workable path to comply.” 4/6/2026