A federally funded project aimed at tracking toxic PFAS, or 'forever chemicals,' in the air near a North Carolina chemical plant remains active after an EPA funding pause.

Researchers who study the toxic compounds voiced concerns about looming changes to EPA's Office of Research and Development.

PFAS are widely used, long-lasting chemicals, components of which break down very slowly over time and are found nearly everywhere, according to the EPA.

The US Environmental Protection Agency said Friday it was moving ahead with plans to axe its workforce by more than 3,700 employees, as part of

The report from March shows the results of a test that found per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) — which are also known as forever chemicals — at higher than recommended levels in city water.

But instead of advancing protections, the House appropriations bill seeks to block the EPA from acting. The provision is part of a broader Republican effort to roll back environmental regulations and shrink the agency’s power. The bill proposes slashing EPA funding by over $2 billion—nearly 25 percent.

The US Environmental Protection Agency placed 139 employees on administrative leave Thursday, an agency spokesperson confirmed, after they signed a “Stand Up for Science” petition using their official titles and EPA positions.

Earlier in July, the U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for Trump’s federal job cuts, potentially affecting tens of thousands of government employees. The Department of Education also faced mass layoffs affecting nearly 1,400 workers and the potential transfer of key functions to other agencies.

There was hardly a spare seat at Tuesday night’s meeting of the Temple Terrace City Council. Most of the unusually large crowd attended for one reason.