Citizen groups supporting tough limits on the pollution from PFAS “forever chemicals” have won the right to speak for the public interest in fighting a key polluter lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The Chemours corporation has sued the EPA over its new tougher standards governing the levels of PFAS pollution in water that are considered a public health risk. Exceeding those limits can trigger other control efforts. Last week, the US Third Circuit Court of Appeals approved the petition by a coalition of citizen groups and individuals to intervene in the lawsuit. These groups will now have the opportunity to argue as parties to the lawsuit on behalf of strong controls on PFAS pollution. Strategically, that should help keep EPA from giving in to industry demands. Groups involved include the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Cape Fear River Watch, North Carolina Black Alliance, and several other groups and individuals.