Protecting Florida from Toxic Chemicals
Florida’s standards for toxic, cancer-causing chemicals haven’t kept pace with science. We’re fighting to strengthen water quality protections that safeguard people, wildlife, and our waterways.
Read the Lawsuit
The Problem
Outdated standards put Floridians at risk.
Many toxic chemicals—including carcinogens, industrial solvents, pesticides, and PFAS (“forever chemicals”)—can persist in Florida’s waters for decades and accumulate in fish and wildlife.
Although the Clean Water Act requires states to regularly update their human health water quality standards, many of Florida’s standards have remained largely unchanged since the 1990s despite decades of new scientific research.
That means Floridians may not be adequately protected from exposure to harmful chemicals through fishing, recreation, or drinking water.
Our Work
Fighting for stronger water quality protections.
Miami Waterkeeper has been advocating for stronger human health water quality standards since 2016.
In 2022, alongside Waterkeepers Florida and the Environmental Defense Alliance, we successfully petitioned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to determine that Florida’s standards no longer adequately protect public health.
EPA agreed, identifying 73 priority toxic pollutants that required new or updated protections.
When those protections stalled, we took legal action.
Taking Action
Holding the EPA accountable
In 2025, Miami Waterkeeper joined Waterkeepers Florida and the Environmental Defense Alliance in filing a federal lawsuit to compel the EPA to finalize updated human health criteria required under the Clean Water Act.
The lawsuit seeks stronger protections from toxic chemicals that can accumulate in Florida’s waters and seafood, helping ensure our waterways remain safe for fishing, swimming, and future generations.
Why it Matters
Clean water means healthy communities.
Updating Florida’s human health criteria will help:
- Reduce exposure to cancer-causing and neurotoxic chemicals
- Better protect people who eat locally caught seafood
- Strengthen safeguards for drinking water sources
- Improve protections for fish, wildlife, and aquatic ecosystems
- Ensure Florida’s water quality standards reflect the best available science
Protecting water quality means protecting the health of everyone who depends on Florida’s waters.