Environmental Industry Updates
The Latest News on Scientific and Regulatory Updates from Merit Laboratories
The number of PFAS-contaminated sites in Wisconsin continues to grow at a rapid rate. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) released a PFAS Action Plan to address growing public health and environmental concerns regarding PFAS in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin PFAS Action Council (WisPAC), a group of nearly 20 state agencies and the University of Wisconsin System, developed the plan, as part of a statewide initiative to ensure Wisconsinites have access to clean, safe drinking water.
In what many scientists believe will be a significant advancement in analytical testing methodology, ASTM is planning to release a new Standard Test Method for PFAS in aqueous sample matrices. This new method, ASTMD8421-21, utilizes Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) with Isotope Dilution (ID). It is anticipated to be the first published ASTM method for PFAS that incorporates isotope dilution in the actual method and not simply a footnote.
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).
Merit Laboratories has added laboratory accreditation through the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). The laboratory accreditation includes analytical testing for PFAS in drinking water by EPA 537.1 and PFAS in aqueous and solid matrices by LC/MS. Accredited under Wisconsin NR 149, Merit Laboratories is approved to perform environmental sample analysis in support of covered environmental programs
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the agency’s comprehensive Strategic Roadmap to address PFAS contamination nationwide. The EPA’s Roadmap focuses on three main strategies: Increase investments in research, Leverage authorities to take action now to restrict PFAS chemicals from being released into the environment, and
Nearly everyone in the United States has been exposed to PFAS and likely have PFAS in their blood, especially perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). PFAS chemicals have been used in industry and consumer products worldwide since the 1950s. These forever chemicals are prevalent in non-stick cookware, water-repellent clothing, stain resistant fabrics and carpets, some cosmetics, some firefighting foams, and products that resist grease, water, and oil.
The number of military sites with confirmed PFAS contamination continues to grow. An additional 59 Department of Defense (DoD) military installations with PFAS contaminated soil, groundwater, and surface water is now confirmed and added to a rapidly expanding list. The addition of these DoD installations brings the number of U.S. military bases and facilities with confirmed PFAS contamination to 385, according to a recent report published by the Environmental Working Group. In addition to these 385 installations with confirmed PFAS contamination, there are another 294 DoD installations that are suspected to have PFAS groundwater contamination.
The U.S. EPA recently announced the creation of Preliminary Effluent Guidelines Program Plan 15 (Preliminary Plan 15), which identifies opportunities to better protect public health and the environment through regulation of wastewater pollution. For the first time, PFAS will become regulated for wastewater effluent through the Clean Water Act (CWA).
The U.S. House passed the PFAS Action Act of 2021 earlier this summer, which is now working its way through the Senate. The act requires the creation of a school drinking water testing and grant program. Section 18 of the PFAS Action Act states that, no later than 1 year after the date of enactment, a program be implemented to enact grants for testing for PFAS in drinking water at schools.
