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 CA Law Aimed at Eliminating PFAS from Firefighter Turnout Gear
23 Jun 2025 | Firehouse
When firefighters in California head into the flames, they wear special gear to protect them from heat, moisture, smoke and falling materials. But the same equipment meant to keep them safe exposes them to cancer-causing chemicals embedded in their uniforms.
Poison in the water: the town with the world’s worst case of forever chemicals contamination
23 Jun 2025 | Marta Zaraska
When a small Swedish town discovered their drinking water contained extremely high levels of PFAS, they had no idea what it would mean for their health and their children’s future.
Turning the Tide on PFAS: How Statewide AFFF Takeback Initiatives Are Redefining Environmental Protection
20 Jun 2025 | Environmental Protection
Ohio, New Hampshire, and North Carolina are leading PFAS mitigation efforts with large-scale AFFF collection and destruction programs using verified supercritical water oxidation technology.
Drinking water map shows where toxic ‘forever chemicals’ are found in the UK
20 Jun 2025 | Yahoo!News
The government has launched an inquiry into ‘forever chemicals’ increasingly found in Britain’s water supply - but campaigners say not enough is being done.
PFAS (forever chemicals) are out of fire fighter gear in RI, Governor McKee signs bill
20 Jun 2025 | Environment Rhode Island
Backed by new state legislation and a partnership with Fire-Dex and Milliken, the East Providence Fire Department is using PFAS-free gear to reduce cancer risks
Latest Science
Enhanced immobilisation of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) using a combination of sorbents and plants: A controlled rainfall simulation study
23 Jun 2025 | Sci. Total Environ.
Lab tests show that mixing PFAS-tainted soil with powdered activated carbon and planting hardy ryegrass on top prevented about 90% of the PFAS from being washed away by heavy rain, pointing to a simple, inexpensive way to keep PFAS out of nearby waterways.
Chrome Plating Facility Siting Is Associated with Neighborhood Demographic and Socioeconomic Factors and Elevated Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Blood in California
16 Jun 2025 | Environ Sci Technol
Residents living within 3 km of California chrome-plating shops showed markedly higher blood concentrations of specific plating-related PFAS—including PFOS, PFHxS, PFOA, PFHpS and PFPeS, underscoring how these mist-suppressant chemicals disproportionately burden nearby lower-income, largely Hispanic communities.
Heavier sediment pollution by per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in tropical coasts compared to temperate regions: An overlooked hotspot
14 Jun 2025 | J. Environ. Sci.
Sediments along a tropical Chinese coastline contain markedly higher levels of both legacy and emerging PFAS, reaching about 13 ng/g dry weight and dominated by mid-chain compounds such as PFHxA and 9H-PFNA, a concentration exceeding those typically reported for temperate regions; researchers trace the pollution to land-based runoff, rocket-launch fallout, and other local sources.
Prenatal Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Exposures and Longitudinal Blood Pressure Measurements in Children Aged 3 to 18 Years: Findings From a Racially and Ethnically Diverse US Birth Cohort
12 Jun 2025 | J Am Heart Assoc
Higher maternal blood levels of eight PFAS (Me-PFOSA-AcOH, PFDeA, PFHpS, PFHxS, PFNA, PFOA, PFOS and PFUnA) correlated with higher childhood blood-pressure readings, most noticeably during adolescence, in boys and in non-Hispanic Black youth, implying that prenatal exposure to these “forever chemicals” may increase long-term hypertension risk.
Scientists’ statement on the chemical definition of PFASs
10 Jun 2025 | Environ. Sci. Technol. Lett.
The authors raise concerns about ongoing efforts to redefine PFAS and potentially exclude certain PFASs included under the 2021 OECD definition of PFAS chemicals. As there is no evidence to indicate that the OECD definition is flawed or problematic or ambiguous, there is no need for a new chemical definition.
Latest Policy
Bill to make PFAS polluters pay for clean-up moves to NC Senate after passing House
20 Jun 2025
A bill that would make manufacturers of “forever chemicals” pay for the cost of public water systems to filter PFAS pollution is being considered by the state Senate after passing the NC House of Representatives last month.
Oregon Legislature approves study of PFAS in sewage sludge used as fertilizer
20 Jun 2025
“When companies manufacture and use PFAS, they become part of our world,” she said. “We owe it to Oregon farmers, rural communities, and consumers to fully understand what ends up in our water and soils.”
State updates fish advisories amid PFAS concerns in Southern Colorado waters
12 Jun 2025
New signs and state guidance urge anglers to check lake-specific advisories as “forever chemicals” raise long-term health risks.
EPA cancels limits for several PFAS chemicals in drinking water
12 Jun 2025
More than 150 million Americans drink water contaminated with toxic forever chemicals. Last year, after decades of inaction, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set limits to protect public health. Now, that same agency is undoing those defenses.
EPA restores $1.4M UMaine PFAS grant
12 Jun 2025
Almost a month after it was canceled, more than $1 million in EPA funding for the University of Maine is back.
Opportunities
PFAS – Challenges and Scientific Perspectives in Human Health Risk Assessment
Event: 8 Oct 2025
This international conference brings together national and international scientists and risk assessors to exchange current scientific knowledge on PFAS and to discuss challenges and advances in human health risk assessment.
SETAC North America 46th Annual Meeting - Call for Abstracts
Event: 16 Nov 2025
DATES: 16–20 November 2025 LOCATION: Portland, Oregon Abstract submissions are free until 4 June. Late-breaking science abstracts will be accepted from 9 July–20 August for a $50 rush fee.
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