The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continues to address the growing concerns over PFAS by adding nine new compounds to the Toxics Release Inventory. This move aims to improve transparency and provide better data on the presence and release of these persistent chemicals in the environment. This blog post explores what these additions mean, the compounds involved, and their potential implications for businesses and public health.
What is the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI)?
The Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) is a resource maintained by the EPA that tracks the disposal and releases of chemicals that may pose a risk to human health or the environment. It provides valuable data on over 600 chemicals, including pollutants, hazardous chemicals, and compounds linked to cancer, respiratory issues, and other health problems.
The TRI is a part of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) of 1986. It was established to inform communities about the presence of potentially harmful substances in their surroundings and enable better decision-making for environmental health and safety.
The Nine New PFAS Compounds Added to the TRI
The EPA’s latest update includes the addition of nine new PFAS compounds to the TRI, which will now require industries to report their releases into air, water, and land, as well as their waste management practices. These compounds are being added to enhance public understanding of PFAS pollution and to improve monitoring of their environmental impacts. According to the EPA, these nine PFAS were added to the TRI list pursuant to the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, which provides the framework for the automatic addition of PFAS to TRI each year in response to specified EPA activities involving such PFAS. For TRI Reporting Year 2025 (reporting forms due by July 1, 2026), reporting is required for these nine additional PFAS, bringing the total PFAS subject to TRI reporting to 205.
Here’s a breakdown of the nine new PFAS compounds:
Ammonium perfluorodecanoate (PFDA NH4) (CAS: 3108-42-7)
This compound is a perfluorinated fatty acid often used in industrial applications such as coatings and surfactants.Sodium perfluorodecanoate (PFDA-Na) (CAS: 3830-45-3)
This is the sodium salt form of perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), commonly used in surfactants and coatings.Perfluoro-3-methoxypropanoic acid (CAS: 377-73-1)
A relatively lesser-known PFAS compound, often used in specialized chemical applications, including solvents.6:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonate acid (CAS: 27619-97-2)
This compound is a member of the fluorotelomer family and is used in the manufacture of water- and stain-resistant products.6:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonate anion (CAS: 425670-75-3)
The anionic form of the 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate, which is typically found in industrial formulations such as coatings, textiles, and cleaning products.6:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonate potassium salt (CAS: 59587-38-1)
This is the potassium salt form of 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate, often used in various chemical processes.6:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonate ammonium salt (CAS: 59587-39-2)
Another salt form of 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate, this compound is utilized in the production of surfactants and other formulations.6:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonate sodium salt (CAS: 27619-94-9)
Similar to the potassium and ammonium salts, this is the sodium salt form, commonly used in various industrial applications.Acetic acid, [(γ-ω-perfluoro-C8-10-alkyl)thio] derivatives, Bu esters (CAS: 3030471-22-5)
This compound is a specialized ester used in coatings and other industrial applications.
Why Is This Addition Significant?
Adding these PFAS compounds to the TRI is important for several reasons:
Increased Transparency: Businesses that manufacture, process, or release these chemicals will now be required to report their activities, making it easier for communities and regulators to track the environmental footprint of PFAS.
Public Health Protection: With more data on PFAS compounds, regulators can better understand the potential health impacts and take action to mitigate exposure. This is particularly important for vulnerable populations living near manufacturing sites or industrial facilities where these compounds are used or released.
Encouraging Alternatives: The addition of these chemicals to the TRI highlights the widespread use of PFAS, which could spur businesses to seek safer, non-toxic alternatives. The move is a part of the broader trend toward reducing reliance on harmful substances that pose long-term environmental and health risks.
Legal and Regulatory Compliance: For industries involved with these chemicals, the inclusion in the TRI means compliance with additional regulatory requirements. Companies must now track and report their PFAS-related releases, and failure to do so can result in fines or legal repercussions.
Merit Laboratories is a leading national PFAS environmental laboratory, analyzing drinking water, soil, wastewater, groundwater, and other sample matrices, including biosolids and sludge. Analytical methods performed by Merit for PFAS include drinking water by EPA 533, EPA 537.1, and EPA 537 rev. 1.1, soil and biosolids by ASTM D7968-17 with Isotopic Dilution, and wastewater, groundwater, and surface water by ASTM D8421 and ASTM D7979-19 with Isotopic Dilution and development of the new EPA 1633A method.