It’s the last month of 2024, and what a year it’s been! It has been our pleasure to bring you the latest PFAS headlines and share our insights into how these news stories may impact your organization, community, or business. Here are a few more that may have slipped under the radar while folks have been busy with the start of the winter holidays.
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PFAS and CERCLA Q&A: Does a Release Always Lead to a Superfund Designation?
In October, Pace® conducted a webinar on the final rule designating PFAS as Hazardous Substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), or what most of us commonly think of as “Superfund.”
Topics: CERCLA
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Is PFAS Sampling Cross-Contamination Really an Issue?
Pace® has been conducting sampling of environmental matrices for PFAS testing since 2013. Today, we employ more than 40 field sampling teams around the country. In addition, Pace® is a US EPA-approved UCMR laboratory and has sampled and tested thousands of samples during UCMR 3, 4, and 5 You could say we know a thing or two about sampling for emerging contaminants like PFAS.
Topics: PFAS Sampling
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Pace® PFAS News and Views – November 2024
With only a couple of months left in the year, time is winding down for the U.S. EPA’s 2021-2024 PFAS Strategic Roadmap. There are still a few significant actions they could take, but for the most part, recent actions seem to be geared toward “setting the stage” for 2025 and beyond. This month, we highlight a few actions that could lead to future PFAS rules and regulations at both the state and federal levels.
Topics: NDAA NPDES TRI Plastics
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Pace® PFAS News and Views – October 2024
As the year winds down, there’s still plenty of PFAS regulatory action happening, both in the U.S. and abroad. In the PFAS News and Views, we highlight a few stories of interest.
Topics: CERCLA NPDWR
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Pace® PFAS News and Views – September 2024
Late summer is often a slow time for regulatory agencies and state legislatures. State legislatures often take a break, and those serving in D.C. spend the weeks-long congressional recess to spend time with constituents back in their home districts. Nevertheless, a few notable PFAS actions have occurred over the last few weeks. In this month’s PFAS News and Views, we cover these important stories plus call out a couple of actions that did not make the cut in previous issues.
Topics: AFFF WHO DOD F3 Landfills
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Pace® PFAS News and Views – August 2024
The U.S. EPA may be reaching the end of its four-year PFAS Strategic Roadmap, but there are still a few loose ends to tie up. This summer also brought us plenty of state-level PFAS action as at least five states enacted bans on PFAS in consumer products. In this post, we look at some recent actions and those that might be taken before the end of 2024.
Topics: Drinking Water UCMR 5 CERCLA rcra Consumer Products
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What POTWs and Industry Need to Know About the PFAS NPDES ICR Proposal
To better understand how PFAS passes from industry through Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTWs), the EPA recently proposed an Information Collection Rule (ICR) focused on PFAS in wastewater influent, effluent, and biosolids. Paul Jackson, Pace® Analytical Program Manager for Environmental Compliance and Emerging Contaminants, delivered a webinar covering the basics of the proposal and its impact on our customers. In this post, I will cover some of the critical highlights. I also invite you to watch the webinar on-demand for a deeper dive.
Topics: Wastewater NPDES Biosolids ELGs ICR
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Pace® PFAS News and Views – April 2024
The National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWR) for PFAS limits in drinking water have been announced. But that’s not the only action the U.S. EPA has taken in recent weeks. In this month’s PFAS News and Views, we focus on several recent developments as the agency works to finish the final mile in the PFAS Strategic Roadmap published in 2021.
Topics: PFAS Plan 15 NPDWR POTWs Toxicity Assessments CWA PFAS Destruction & Disposal
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State Regulations for PFAS in Consumer Products
On February 14th, Nick Nigro, Pace® PFAS Product Manager, along with other leaders of ASTM subcommittee F15.81 on Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, held a webinar discussing the what, why, and how of quantifying PFAS in Consumer and Related Products. Among many topics, the team addressed the challenge created by the varying definitions of PFAS used by the states when crafting legislation. This comes up frequently in conversations with our manufacturing customers, so I wanted to share some of the highlights from the webinar.
Topics: Webinar ASTM Consumer Products State Legislation
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Pace® PFAS News and Views – March 2024
This month’s PFAS News & Views will be heavily focused on legislative efforts happening at the state level. But before we get into those actions, we will kick things off with the latest updates to the TSCA (Toxic Control Substances Act) reporting rule.
Topics: NPDES TSCA Consumer Goods WI NC CO CA NY Textiles Groundwater
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Pace® PFAS News and Views – February 2024
As the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) seeks to deliver on the commitments remaining in the 2021-2024 PFAS Strategic Roadmap, we’re expecting to see many new proposals and tying up of loose ends. At the same time, states and other entities are also focusing on PFAS, so we expect plenty of PFAS action at that level as well. As always, in our PFAS News and Views posts, we highlight and provide our perspectives on those news stories most important to our customers.
Topics: rcra TRI Method 1633 NPDWR Minnesota Maine New Hampshire Method 1621
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Pace® PFAS News and Views – January 2024
Happy New Year! While we’re waiting for the EPA to publish final limits on PFAS in drinking water and to designate PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances under CERCLA, there’s still plenty more PFAS in the news to focus on. This month, we’ll start with actions at the state level and then highlight some legislation percolating at the federal level.
Topics: food packaging Consumer Goods Maryland Colorado Minnesota Rhode Island Maine
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Pace® News and Views – December 2023
It seems we are all waiting and watching for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to publish its final rule on PFAS in drinking water. The agency said they expected to publish in February of 2024. However, at a recent gathering in Eau Claire, WI, EPA Administrator Michael Reagan said the agency is committed to finalizing the rule before the end of the year.
Topics: AFFF food packaging Draft Method 1633 TSCA Landfills ASTM D8421 Apparel Fish and Game EPA 8327
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ASTM D8421/EPA 8327: A Faster, More Affordable PFAS Test Method
The science of PFAS analysis has long needed a standardized, validated test method for non-potable liquids and solids. Once finalized and promulgated, Draft Method 1633 promises to be the solution we’ve been waiting for. Or does it?
Topics: PFAS PFAS Test Methods Draft Method 1633 ASTM D8421 EPA 8327
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Pace® News and Views – November 2023
The fourth quarter is often a busy time of year for regulators as they work to make good on their commitments and proposals. This month, the big news is the finalization of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) reporting rule. In this edition of PFAS News and Views, we highlight that rule as well as some other actions worth noting.
Topics: food packaging TRI TSCA Consumer Goods ASTM D8421 CPSC
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Pace® News and Views – September 2023
We’ve rounded the halfway point in 2023 and are well into the third quarter of the year. Regulatorily speaking, summer is often a slow time of year. Still, there are quite a few actions worth noting before we enter the busy fall season.
Topics: CERCLA TRI OMB DOD Air IRIS PFHxS NRWA
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Pace® News and Views – 2023 Midyear PFAS Update
2023 has been a busy year for the Pace® emerging contaminants team and the customers we serve. In this special edition of Pace® News and Views, we look at some of the most significant EPA actions taken and proposed in the first half of the year as well as what we’re watching for the remainder of 2023 and the first quarter of 2024.
Topics: rcra TRI TSCA SNUR NPDWR ANPRM LVE 1633
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Answers to Your Questions on the 3rd Draft of EPA Draft Method 1633
On February 2nd, Pace® delivered a live webinar titled “A Deep Dive into the Third Revision of Draft Method 1633.” This webinar was widely attended, and as anticipated, we received a number of questions using the Q&A feature on the portal. Since there were too many questions to answer in the time allotted and the questions received are relevant to the entire PFAS stakeholder community, we decided to create a downloadable FAQ.
Topics: Wastewater Draft Method 1633 Leachate Biosolids
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PFAS in Biosolids: A Murky Issue
The USEPA’s 2021-2024 PFAS Strategic Roadmap calls for a number of actions related to PFAS in biosolids. In this post, we’ll provide our assessment of the challenges PFAS in biosolids present and the best ways to analyze for them.
Topics: NPDES Draft Method 1633 PFAS in Biosolids Wastewater Discharge PFAS by Isotope Dilution Wastewater Sludge Leachate
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Pace® News and Views - April 5, 2023
On Tuesday, March 14, 2023, USEPA proposed the first-ever National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWR) for PFAS. In this edition of Pace® News and Views, we provide some thoughts on the proposed rule and catch up on some other important PFAS developments we think should be on everyone’s radar.
Topics: PFOS PFBS PFOA NPDWR PFNA PFHxS GenX Chemicals HFPO-DA CCL6 Landfills
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Pace® News and Views - February 29, 2023
In the world of PFAS contamination and regulation, 2023 promises to be a busy year. In just the first few weeks, we have seen plenty of fresh headlines already. To help our readers stay up to date, our PFAS experts compiled the latest news and developments we think should be on everyone’s radar. We have also sprinkled in some of our thoughts on what these developments may mean for the industry and your organization.
Topics: PFAS AFFF NPDES TRI WOTUS Method 1633 ELG SNUR Plan 15 Landfill F3
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An Update on EPA Draft Method 1633, Draft 3
Even as EPA Draft Method 1633 goes through revisions, it’s already become the go-to method for many regulatory programs. For example, the U.S. EPA strongly encourages Draft Method 1633 for NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) permitting. The Department of Defense calls for Draft Method 1633 when testing AFFF (Aqueous Film-Forming Foam) and F3 (Fluorine-Free Foam) for PFAS. At least twelve states have even updated their lab accreditation programs to include Draft Method 1633.
Topics: PFAS Wastewater Method 1633 Webinar
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Which PFAS will be regulated next?
Lately, we’ve all been watching and waiting for the EPA to publish its proposed MCLs (Maximum Contaminate Levels) for PFOA and PFOS and to designate these two compounds as hazardous substances under CERCLA (the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act). These two actions will have a huge impact on everything from Public Water Systems, to manufacturing, to property sales.
Topics: PFAS UCMR 5 PFOS PFOA EPA CERCLA CCL5 MCLs IRIS
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Pace® News and Views - January 25, 2023
We’re less than a month into the new year, and plenty has happened in the world of PFAS contamination and testing . To help Pace® customers stay up to date, we’ve compiled the latest news and developments we think should be on everyone’s radar.
Topics: PFAS Drinking Water UCMR 5 PFOS GenX PFBS PFOA EPA NPDES TRI MCLs WOTUS Method 1633
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Pace® News and Views - January 19, 2023
The PFAS contamination, testing, and regulatory landscape has been changing at breakneck speed as the U.S. EPA continues to implement its PFAS Strategic Roadmap for 2021-2024. To help Pace® customers stay up to date, we’re compiling the latest news and developments we think should be on everyone’s radar.
Topics: PFAS Drinking Water PFOS PFOA EPA PFBA MCLs
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Pace® News and Views - December 14, 2022
The PFAS contamination, testing, and regulatory landscape has been changing at breakneck speed as the U.S. EPA continues to implement its PFAS Strategic Roadmap for 2021-2024. To help Pace® customers stay up to date, we’re compiling the latest news and developments we think should be on everyone’s radar.
Topics: PFAS AFFF EPA Draft Method 1633 TRI TSCA SDWA DOD CCL5
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Pace® News and Views - November 30, 2022
The world of PFAS contamination, testing, and regulation has been moving forward at breakneck speed as the U.S. EPA continues to implement its PFAS Strategic Roadmap for 2021-2024. To help Pace® customers stay up to date, we’re compiling the latest news and developments we think should be on everyone’s radar.
Topics: PFAS AFFF PFOA CERCLA Pesticides OMB WHO
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Pace® News and Views - November 23, 2022
The world of PFAS contamination, testing, and regulation has been moving forward at breakneck speed as the U.S. EPA continues to implement its PFAS Strategic Roadmap for 2021-2024. To help Pace® customers stay up to date, we’re compiling the latest news and developments we think should be on everyone’s radar. In this edition of Pace® News and Views, we examine some recent and upcoming actions that may have a big impact on industry.
Topics: CERCLA TSCA Industry
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Pace® News and Views - September 21, 2022
The world of PFAS contamination, testing, and regulation has been moving forward at breakneck speed as the U.S. EPA continues to implement its PFAS Strategic Roadmap for 2021-2024. To help Pace® customers stay up to date, we’re compiling the latest news and developments we think should be on everyone’s radar.
Topics: PFAS AFFF PFOS PFOA CERCLA TRI
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EPA Draft Method 1633 Deep Dive
A Closer Look: EPA Draft Test Method 1633
Topics: PFAS Wastewater Emerging Contaminants NPDES Draft Method 1633
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Pace® News and Views - August 10, 2022
The world of PFAS contamination, testing, and regulation has been moving forward at breakneck speed as the U.S. EPA continues to implement its PFAS Strategic Roadmap for 2021-2024. To help Pace® customers stay up to date, we’re compiling the latest news and developments we think should be on everyone’s radar.
Topics: PFAS GenX EPA food packaging NDAA CERCLA rcra PFAS Liability
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Pace® News and Views - July 20, 2022
The world of PFAS contamination, testing, and regulation has been moving forward at breakneck speed as the U.S. EPA continues to implement its PFAS Strategic Roadmap for 2021-2024. To help Pace® customers stay up to date, we’re compiling the latest news and developments we think should be on everyone’s radar.
Topics: UCMR 5 health advisories EPA
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Pace® News and Views - June 29, 2022
The world of PFAS contamination, testing, and regulation has been moving forward at breakneck speed as the U.S. EPA continues to implement its PFAS Strategic Roadmap for 2021-2024. To help Pace® customers stay up to date, we’re compiling the latest news and developments we think should be on everyone’s radar.
Topics: PFAS Environmental Lab UCMR 5
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EPA Issues New Health Advisories for 4 PFAS
In 2016, the U.S. EPA issued drinking water health advisories (HAs) based on available toxicity data for PFOA and PFOS of 70 ppt, individually or combined. While HAs are non-enforceable, many states used the EPA’s guidance to set state-level rules and regulations. Then, in 2021, the EPA revised its risk assessment for PFOA and PFOS and released draft risk values to the EPA’s Science Advisory Board (SAB).
Topics: PFAS PFOS GenX PFBS health advisories PFOA
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PFAS FAQs for Wastewater Professionals
Released in Q4 2021, the U.S. EPA’s 2021-2024 PFAS Strategic Roadmap includes a number of planned actions related to wastewater. To help municipal and industrial wastewater professionals get up to speed quickly on current and pending actions, we’ve compiled this list of frequently asked questions.
Topics: PFAS in Wastewater industrial wastewater wastewater treatment Municipal Wastewater effluent
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Pace® News and Views - June 8, 2022
The world of PFAS contamination, testing, and regulation has been moving forward at breakneck speed as the EPA continues to implement its PFAS Strategic Roadmap for 2021-2024. To help Pace® customers stay up to date, we’re compiling news and developments from the past few weeks that we think should be on everyone’s radar.
Topics: PFAS Environmental Lab UCMR 5
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Pace® News and Views - May 3, 2022
Ever since the PFAS Action Plan of 2019 was released by the U.S. EPA, the world of PFAS contamination, testing, and regulation has been moving forward at breakneck speed. To help Pace® customers stay up to date, we’re compiling the news and developments we think should be on everyone’s radar.
Topics: PFAS Environmental Lab UCMR 5
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Now On Demand: PFAS Technical & Regulatory Update for Wastewater Professionals
The U.S. EPA’s 2021-2024 PFAS Strategic Roadmap has a much greater focus on PFAS in wastewater than ever before. For example, the Effluent Limitations Guidelines (ELGs) are a tool the EPA already uses to enforce regulatory limits on pollutants in wastewater discharged into surface waters and municipal sewage treatment facilities. As noted in the roadmap, the EPA plans to use this tool to take a more proactive approach to restricting PFAS levels in wastewater discharge across several key industries.
Topics: PFAS Wastewater PFAS in Wastewater
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2022 PFAS FAQs
PFAS FAQs: Updated for 2022
Topics: PFAS in Wastewater UCMR 5 National Drinking Water Standard
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Pace® News and Views - March 23, 2022
Ever since the PFAS Action Plan of 2019 was released by the U.S. EPA, the world of PFAS contamination, testing, and regulation has been moving forward at breakneck speed. To help Pace® customers stay up to date, we’ve started compiling the news and developments we think should be on everyone’s radar.
Topics: PFAS Environmental Lab UCMR 5
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PFAS Year in Review
Anyone who’s read the EPA’s Strategic Plans for 2021-2024 knows the agency has big plans for PFAS over the next few years. In this post, we’ll take a look back at 2021, revisiting the actions called for by the Strategic Plan as well as those executed earlier in the year.
Topics: PFAS Environmental Lab UCMR 5
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8-Point PFAS Lab Checklist
Once UCMR 5 goes into effect in 2023, ALL public water systems serving more than 3300 people plus 800 randomly selected smaller water systems will need to begin testing for 29 PFAS (and Lithium). That is, if EPA leaves its current UCMR 5 proposal unchanged before it finalizes the rule. It’s also likely that, before UCMR 5 sampling starts in 2023, PFOA and PFOS will have federally enforceable MCLs (Maximum Contaminant Limits) for all water systems under the SDWA (Safe Drinking Water Act).
Topics: PFAS Environmental Lab UCMR 5
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Who Moved My (Cheese) PFAS?
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) Evolves PFAS Reporting Standards
Topics: PFAS WNDR Drinking Water
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The Impact of Wastewater Treatment on PFAS Contamination
One of the questions we often get asked is whether wastewater treatment processes remove PFAS. Here’s the bottom line. You won’t be able to rely on your local wastewater treatment plant to solve your PFAS problem for you. That’s because traditional wastewater treatment processes do not remove PFAS. In fact, they can convert PFAS precursors into PFAS.
Topics: PFAS contamination Wastewater industrial wastewater wastewater treatment
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Interim PFAS wastewater memo
5 takeaways from the epa's interim wastewater discharge permitting strategy for pfas
The EPA continues to make progress on the PFAS Action Plan they released in 2019. Their most recent action is a memorandum detailing an interim strategy for controlling PFAS through wastewater discharge permitting. In this post, we’ll break this announcement down into what you need to know.
Topics: PFAS Wastewater PFAS in Wastewater PFAS in Stormwater
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Which PFAS Compounds Should I Test For?
Which Compounds Should We Include in Our PFAS Testing Program?
When designing a PFAS testing program, one of the fundamental questions that needs to be answered is which compounds to look for. Along with some other key decision points, the answer can greatly influence the design of your program.
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PFAS and Airports
4 Facts Airport Operators Need to Know About PFAS
At Pace Analytical®, we’re seeing a steady flow of inquiries from airport operators and municipalities concerned about PFAS contamination. In today’s post, I thought I’d break down our discussions into several FAQs and do my best to provide clear, concise answers.
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On-Demand Webinar
On-Demand Webinar: PFAS Technical & Regulatory Update
Topics: PFAS Chemicals PFAS contamination
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The EPA’s Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) Program
172 “FOREVER CHEMICALS” ADDED TO THE EPA’S TOXIC RELEASE INVENTORY (TRI) PROGRAM
One of the ways the EPA furthers its mission of protecting human health and the environment is through the Toxic Release Inventory program, more commonly known as TRI. This program was originally created in 1986 as part of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). Today, the TRI data is publicly accessible and designed to support informed decision-making by communities, government agencies, companies, and others.
Topics: PFAS Chemicals Forever Chemical
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Why test for pfas?
