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.
EPA Proposes Adding 100+ PFAS to TRI
In the largest move since the initial 172 PFAS were added to the EPA’s Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) reporting requirements in 2020, the EPA has proposed adding more than 100 PFAS compounds to TRI. The list includes 16 individual PFAS and 15 categories of PFAS. The draft proposal can be found here.
U.S. EPA CERCLA Expansion Outlook
Now that PFOA and PFOS have been designated Hazardous Substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), many are wondering whether the U.S. EPA will act on its Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) to add another seven PFAS to the CERCLA designation. These compounds include PFBS, PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA, PFBA, PFHxA, and PFDA. The agency set an original deadline of April 2025 to finalize the rule. National Law Review reports that the Unified Agenda now indicates the deadline is “to be determined.”
Webinar: PFAS CERCLA Final Rule
Date/Time: Thursday, October 24th, 2024 | 11:30 EST
Presenter: Paul R. Jackson, Pace® Program Manager for Environmental Compliance and Emerging Contaminants
Topics:
- Implementation and enforcement of CERCLA PFAS regulations
- Laboratory requirements and test methods
- Reporting requirements
- Funding
PFAS Strategic R&D Plan
In August, the National Science and Technology Council’s Joint Subcommittee on Environment, Innovation, and Public Health published its PFAS Strategic R&D Plan. This plan calls for research into five main areas, including:
- Understanding PFAS exposure pathways to individuals and communities
- Addressing current PFAS measurement challenges through the development of standards, advanced sampling, and analytical methodologies
- Understanding the toxicological mechanisms, human and environmental health effects, and risks of PFAS exposure
- Developing, evaluating, and demonstrating technologies for the removal, destruction, and disposal of PFAS
- Identifying PFAS alternatives and evaluating their human health and environmental effects
States Take Varied Paths on PFAS
Since our last PFAS News & Views, several states have taken or proposed various actions to monitor and control PFAS within their borders.
New Jersey – In late August, the NJ Department of Environmental Protection released a comprehensive PFAS Sampling Fact Sheet.
North Carolina – The NC Department of Environmental Quality is now accepting public comments on its proposal to establish Interim Maximum Allowable Concentrations (IMACs) for 8 PFAS in groundwater. The proposal includes eight compounds: PFOA, PFOS, HDFO-DA (GenX), PFBS, PFNA, PFHxS, PFBA, and PFHxA. The North Carolina Environmental Management Commission also waived the 30-day public notice requirements to expedite the rulemaking process for groundwater limits on PFOA, PFOS, and GenX.
Pennsylvania – In response to the designation of PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances under CERCLA, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) issued new guidance for underground storage tanks containing PFOA and/or PFOS. Tanks storing these compounds must now be registered with the state.
Wisconsin – Like other states, Wisconsin is taking steps to re-evaluate its drinking water standards in light of the new National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWR) limits on PFAS.
International PFAS Developments
For our customers that export products to other countries, here are a couple of recent developments of interest.
Canada’s “TSCA” Reporting Requirements
While our industrial customers in the U.S. are working to meet the Toxic Control Substances Act (TSCA) reporting requirements, their counterparts in Canada have similar rules with which they must comply. On July 27, 2024, the Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) published a notice requiring companies to report on their manufacture, import, and use of PFAS no later than January 29, 2025. For more details, we refer you to this article from KPMG.
EU REACH Restrictions on PFAS
The European Commission has adopted new measures restricting PFHxA in consumer textiles, food packaging, consumer mixtures such as waterproofing sprays, cosmetics, and some firefighting foam applications. Learn more.
Scheduled and On-Demand PFAS Webinars
Scheduled:
PFAS CERCLA Final Rule - Thursday, October 24th, 2024 | 11:30 EST
On-Demand:
US EPA Information Collection Rule (ICR) Proposal for PFAS and NPDES
EPA PFAS Test Methods Are Now Final, What That Means for Wastewater and Solid Waste Professionals
Is PFAS Sample Cross-Contamination Caused by Sampling?
Quantifying PFAS in Consumer and Related Products: The Latest Developments
A Deep Dive Into EPA 8327 / ASTM D8421- Faster, Lower Cost PFAS Testing with Accurate Results
We’re Here for You
As recently as five to seven years ago, most PFAS concerns centered around PFAS contamination in drinking water. Since then, the discussion has rapidly expanded to include soil, wastewater, groundwater, surface water, bedrock, biota, biosolids, and more. To meet our customers’ needs, Pace® continues to expand capacity and stay on top of the newest test methods – often contributing to their development. If you’d like to discuss your latest PFAS project or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
