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
[Opinion] We Regulate a Tiny Fraction of the 12,000 ‘Forever Chemicals.’ There’s a Better Way
21 Apr 2024 | The New York Times
“We should not have to risk repeated exposure to these substances, with the most powerful bonds in organic chemistry, caused by the willful negligence of industry each time we place our faith in a glass of water.”
E.P.A. Will Make Polluters Pay to Clean Up Two ‘Forever Chemicals’
19 Apr 2024 | The New York Times
The step follows an extraordinary move that requires utilities to reduce the levels of carcinogenic PFAS compounds in drinking water to near-zero.
The EPA is cracking down on PFAS — but not in fertilizer
19 Apr 2024 | Grist
In Texas, a group of farmers whose properties were contaminated with PFAS from fertilizer are claiming the manufacturer should have done more to warn buyers about the dangers of its products.
Superfund Designations Could Fuel PFAS Litigation
19 Apr 2024 | U.S. News
EPA officials have said that the agency will prioritize enforcement against PFAS manufacturers.
Ocean spray emits more PFAS than industrial polluters, study finds
19 Apr 2024 | The Guardian
Research into release of ‘forever chemicals’ raises concerns about contamination and human exposure along world’s coastlines.
Latest Science
Partitioning of PFAS to serum, tissues, eggs, and hatchlings of an Australian freshwater turtle
15 Apr 2024 | J. Hazard. Mater.
Higher levels of certain PFAS were discovered in male turtles compared to females, with PFOS being the most prevalent in the turtles' tissues, while PFHxA was predominant in the surrounding water. All of the long chain PFAS were transferred from yolk to hatchling, suggesting an intergenerational effect.
Associations of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and their mixture with risk of rheumatoid arthritis in the US adult population
13 Apr 2024 | Environmental Health
Exposure to certain PFAS chemicals is associated with a reduced risk of rheumatoid arthritis, especially in females, according to a study analyzing data from over 10,000 adults.
In-Vitro Effects of Perfluorooctanoic Acid on Human Sperm Function: What Are the Clinical Consequences?
11 Apr 2024 | J. Clin. Med.
Exposure to PFOA in-vitro reduces sperm motility and damages sperm quality, suggesting a possible negative impact on male fertility.
Association of Combined Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Metals with Chronic Kidney Disease
11 Apr 2024 | IJERPH
Exposure to PFAS and metals like cadmium and mercury is associated with chronic kidney disease, with cadmium showing a consistent link and mercury having a significant but complex relationship, emphasizing the need for targeted public health interventions.
Determination of per-and polyfluoroalkyl compounds in paper recycling grades using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry
11 Apr 2024 | Environ Sci Pollut Res Int
PFAS concentrations in paper products were found to be highest in post-consumer recycled paper, highlighting the need to reduce the use of paper additives and improve the collection and sorting of paper for recycled materials.
Latest Policy
Biden-Harris Administration Finalizes Critical Rule to Clean up PFAS Contamination to Protect Public Health
19 Apr 2024
EPA action designates two widely used PFAS as hazardous substances under the Superfund law, improving transparency and accountability to clean up PFAS contamination in communities.
Vermont House unanimously passes bill to ban PFAS, or 'forever chemicals'
11 Apr 2024
A roll call vote passed unanimously, with a vote of 130-0.
EPA imposes first national limits on 'forever chemicals' in drinking water
10 Apr 2024
For the first time, the Environmental Protection Agency has established national limits for six types of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in drinking water.
Final PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation
10 Apr 2024
On April 10, 2024, EPA announced the final National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for six PFAS.
‘Forever chemicals’: French MPs approve PFAS product ban
4 Apr 2024
The bill, introduced by environmentalist Nicolas Thierry, called for a ban on the manufacture, import and sale of any cosmetic product, wax product (for skis) or clothing textile product PFAS, with the exception of protective clothing for safety and civil security professionals from January 1, 2026.
Opportunities
[Job] Research Scientist I
Event: 24 Apr 2024
Biomonitoring California at the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment is hiring for Research Scientist I.
[Job] Senior Environmental Scientist
Event: 24 Apr 2024
Biomonitoring California at the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment is hiring for Senior Environmental Scientist.
[Call for Applicants] Two Epidemiological PhD Projects
Event: 1 May 2024
The National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark is looking for applicants for two fully financed PhD student positions.
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