PFAS Central: sharing notable news, scientific papers & events
Although useful, PFAS or highly fluorinated chemicals are associated with serious health harm and can remain in the environment forever.
Latest News
New rules on GenX, other forever chemical water pollution again delayed by NC commission
26 Jul 2024 | StarNews Online
State regulators want to start adopting new standards for forever chemicals in the environment, but the NC business community is worried about the potential cost.
EPA’s Exclamation that PFAS Are Unsafe in Minute Concentrations Is Turning Out To Have Serious Ramifications for Many, Including EPA
26 Jul 2024 | The National Law Review
The lawsuit Maine farmers joined this week is conclusive evidence of the insufficiency of that EPA guidance. Legislation exempting “passive receivers” of PFAS like water utilities from liability under Federal environmental law would be more effective but whether, and when, Congress and the President might agree on such legislation is anything but certain, even if it were a good idea.
Amid a battle over turf plans for FDR Park, experts say claims of PFAS-free fake grass are misleading
25 Jul 2024 | David Gambacorta and Barbara Laker
The Inquirer asked the three turf companies the city might hire for samples of their product so we could test it. None would reply.
Court dismisses case challenging PFAS health advisory
25 Jul 2024 | CoastalReview.org
The U.S. Court of Appeals this week dismissed a chemical company’s claim that the health advisory the Environmental Protection Agency issued in June 2022 for certain man-made chemicals found in drinking water was “unlawful and should be vacated.”
Environmental Groups Sue EPA Over PFAS in Plastic Containers
25 Jul 2024 | Bloomberg Law
The suit, filed in the US District Court for the District of Columbia, argues that the Environmental Protection Agency violated the Toxic Substances Control Act by failing to take action within 180 days of receiving information that suggests a significant risk of harm from PFAS.
Latest Science
Association between mixed exposure to per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances and metabolic syndrome in Korean adults: Data from the Korean National environmental health survey cycle 4
1 Aug 2024 | Int. J. Hyg. Environ. Health
Exposure to multiple PFAS increases the risk of metabolic syndrome—a cluster of conditions including obesity, high blood pressure, high triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, and high blood sugar—particularly in females, with significant contributions from PFNA.
Combined screening and retroactive data mining for emerging perfluoroethers in wildlife and pets in the Cape Fear Region of North Carolina
29 Jul 2024 | Chemosphere
Non-targeted analysis techniques uncovered novel fluorinated compounds, such as PFO6TeDA, PFO7HxDA, PFO8OcDA, and Nafion byproduct 6, in wildlife but not domestic animals in the Cape Fear River region, with PFO6TeDA being the most frequently detected, necessitating further studies to assess the impact of regrettable substitutes on wildlife and humans.
Examining the Impact of Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Exposure on Erythrocyte Profiles and Its Related Nutrients: Insights from a Prospective Study on Young Taiwanese
29 Jul 2024 | Environ. Pollut.
A decade-long study of 502 young Taiwanese individuals found that PFAS exposure is associated with changes in erythrograms, linking specific PFAS compounds to increased transferrin saturation and decreased vitamin B12 levels, with significant interactions involving iron status, vitamin B12, and folate.
Determination of legacy and emerging per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in indoor and outdoor air
25 Jul 2024 | ACS ES&T Air
High levels of fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs) and other legacy & emerging PFAS were found in indoor and outdoor air, with significant temporal variations and distinct gas/particle partitioning, highlighting the need for better understanding and regulation of airborne PFAS.
Interaction and coexistence characteristics of dissolved organic matter and toxic metals with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in landfill leachate
24 Jul 2024 | Environ Res
Landfill leachate containing PFAS poses significant environmental risks, with high concentrations of short-chain PFAS like PFBA and PFBS strongly interacting with dissolved organic matter and toxic metals, particularly manganese, highlighting the need for better management strategies.
Latest Policy
Second Trump term could boost toxic ‘forever chemicals’, experts warn
28 Jul 2024
Ex-president’s allies and Project 2025 propose restrictions to EPA’s ability to protect the public from toxins like PFAS.
Bill mandating end to use of PFAS-containing firefighting foams becomes law in Alaska
26 Jul 2024
The new law, in effect without the governor’s signature, requires a switch to PFAS-free foams by Jan. 1 and sets up a system to help rural villages get rid of them.
PFAS CERCLA Expansion Now On Hold
26 Jul 2024
EPA originally set a deadline of April 2025 to finalize the rule to add seven additional PFAS to CERCLA; however, EPA’s July 2024 Unified Agenda now indicates that the deadline to finalize the rule for the additional seven PFAS is “to be determined.”
From Emerging Compounds to Forever Chemicals - Navigating Evolving Regulation of and Responsibility for PFAS in the Environment
19 Jul 2024
This article summarizes current PFAS regulations, examines the regulations' impact on businesses, and offers practical guidance for legal compliance and proactive risk management.
Wilmington resolution supports state legislation holding GenX and PFAS manufacturers financially accountable
18 Jul 2024
Mayor Bill Saffo introduced a resolution at the Wilmington City Council meeting last night that supports legislation that would force chemical manufacturers to finance clean water efforts, which is currently waiting in committee in the NC House.
Opportunities
[Job] EPA Fellowship on Application of Non-Targeted Analysis of PFAS in Biota
Event: 8 Nov 2024
A research training opportunity is available at the EPA, Office of Research and Development, Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, Atlantic Coastal Environmental Sciences Division located in Narragansett, Rhode Island.
[Job] Principal Scientist at The Green Science Policy Institute
Event: 29 Nov 2024
The Green Science Policy Institute would like to hire a Principal Scientist to collaborate with and support the Executive Director and Institute team in carrying out the Institute’s mission to reduce the use of harmful chemicals for healthier products, people, and planet.
[Job] Research Associate - Michigan State University
Event: 1 Apr 2025
The Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition seeks a Research Associate (Postdoctoral Researcher) to work in Dr. Courtney Carignan’s research program.
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