Inactive PFAS Targeted in New Finalized EPA Rule
EPA Finalizes PFAS Data Rule in TSCA
The U.S. EPA recently finalized a rule that will provide the largest-ever dataset of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) manufactured and used in the United States. The finalized reporting rule under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) is a statutory requirement with the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA - FY2020).
U.S. EPA Hits Chemours Company with the First-Ever Federal Clean Water Act Enforcement Action for PFAS Discharges
Chemours Company is the recipient of the U.S. EPA’s first-ever enforcement action for PFAS discharges with the Clean Water Act (CWA). The EPA is ordering Chemours Company to take corrective measures to address pollution from PFAS in stormwater and effluent discharges for a facility near Parkersburg, West Virginia. The EPA stated that discharge levels of PFAS exceed the levels established in the facility’s CWA permit. In an administrative compliance order on consent (AOC) issued by the agency…
U.S. EPA Creates Interactive PFAS Analytic Tools
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has launched interactive PFAS Analytic Tools to integrate data about PFAS reporting, testing, and occurrences in communities, making it easier to evaluate the collective PFAS information from nearly a dozen different databases that include relevant information.
US EPA Approves Merit Laboratories for UCMR 5 PFAS Testing
The U.S. EPA officially approved Merit Laboratories to perform analytical laboratory testing for PFAS compounds as part of the fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UMCR5). As part of UCMR5, Merit Laboratories is approved for analytical methods EPA 533 and EPA 537.1. UCMR 5 includes all 29 PFAS compounds that are within the scope of EPA Methods 533 and 537.1.
PFOA and PFOS Proposed for Designation as CERCLA Hazardous Substances
EPA Finalizes the Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR)
The U.S. EPA has published the Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 5). UCMR 5 requires sample collection for 30 chemical contaminants between 2023 and 2025 using analytical methods developed by EPA and consensus organizations. This action provides EPA and other interested parties with scientifically valid data on the national presence of these contaminants in drinking water. PFAS are included in the UCMR.
House Passes PFAS Action Act of 2021
The U.S. House passed the PFAS Action Act of 2021. The legislation would require the U.S. EPA to administer a national primary drinking water standard for PFAS chemicals within two years. Some of the specific bill highlights include restricting industrial discharges of PFAS; allocating $200 million annually for wastewater treatment; and limiting the incineration of PFAS wastes.
EPA Proposes PFAS Safe Drinking Water Act Regulations
The U.S. EPA announced a proposal for regulating PFAS chemicals in the nation’s drinking water. Through the U.S. EPA’s proposal, perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) will become regulated through the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). According to the U.S. EPA, this preliminary determination is a necessary step toward providing state and local communities with key information about PFOA and PFOS in drinking water.