Companies will now be prevented from starting or resuming the manufacture of over 300 PFAS compounds without a complete regulatory review and risk determination, based upon a new finalized rule announced by the U.S. EPA on January 8, 2024.
EPA Releases Human Health Toxicity Report for PFBS, a PFAS Chemical
The U.S. EPA has released a report on Human Health Toxicity Values for Perfluorobutane Sulfonic Acid (PFBS) and Related Compound Potassium Perfluorobutane Sulfonate (CAS #29420-49-3). PFBS is a member of a larger group of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). This assessment is part of EPA’s efforts to increase the amount of research and information that is publicly available on chemicals in the PFAS family. It was developed by the U.S. EPA’s Office of Research and Development (ORD) Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment (CPHEA).
List of Potential PFAS Polluters Grows to 30,000
A recent update from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) estimates that the number of manufacturers and users of PFAS in the United States has increased more than 12 times the previous estimate. The industrial sites are suspected of releasing PFAS into the environment, including drinking water sources.
Michigan EGLE Updates PFAS Standards
Updated cleanup standards were announced by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). For groundwater used as drinking water, EGLE has included five additional PFAS compounds to Part 201, making the total number of PFAS regulated in groundwater to seven compounds. Effective December 21, 2020, the compounds PFNA, PFHxS, PFHxA, PFBS, and HFPO-DA
Merit Laboratories Expands PFAS List for Laboratory Testing
To support PFAS investigations, monitoring, and scientific studies, Merit Laboratories has expanded its list of available PFAS compounds for environmental laboratory testing. Merit now provides analytical testing for 46 PFAS compounds by LC/MS/MS with isotopic dilution. Results were validated by the laboratory in an October 2020 Method Detection Limit (MDL) study.
EPA PFAS Action Plan One Step Closer to Implementation
The implementation of the the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s PFAS Action Plan is one step closer. In the December 4, 2019 Federal Register the EPA published an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM).
PFAS Soil Site Investigation Efforts Becoming Increasingly More Important
While testing for PFAS in water sample matrices captures most of the attention, the analysis of soil for PFAS is growing in importance. Environmental scientists are working hard to identify and investigate the presence of PFAS contamination in soil. Soil site investigation efforts are increasing in importance as regulatory agencies and communities are looking to identify the sources of PFAS contamination.