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
Georgia Republicans seek to shield carpet industry, cities from costly toxic PFAS lawsuits
19 Feb 2025 | AJC
As northwest Georgia’s carpet manufacturing industry faces a barrage of potentially costly lawsuits, a new proposal introduced in the state legislature would grant broad immunity to carpet companies and municipalities accused of tainting the public water supply with the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS.
Texas County Declares an Emergency Over Toxic Fertilizer
14 Feb 2025 | The New York Times
Johnson County is seeking federal assistance, saying its farmland has become dangerously contaminated with “forever chemicals” from the use of fertilizer made from sewage sludge.
Toxic legacy: Strong resistance builds over bills to ban PFAS pesticide chemicals in Maryland
14 Feb 2025 | WBALTV
There's a renewed push to outlaw more than 1,000 pesticides that contain PFAS as an active ingredient.
Should WA test human waste fertilizer for PFAS?
14 Feb 2025 | The Seattle Times
Farmers across Washington already spread thousands of tons of fertilizer from human waste on their crops each year, but there’s a major blind spot when it comes to potential contaminants.
‘Forever Chemicals’ Fight Heats Up in Kitchens
12 Feb 2025 | The Wall Street Journal
Minnesota becomes first state to prohibit the sale of cookware that contains PFAS; industry giants say their products are safe.
Latest Science
Holistic assessment of chemical and biological pollutants in a mediterranean wastewater effluent-dominated stream: Interactions and ecological impacts
12 Feb 2025 | Environ. Pollut.
PFAS were detected in wastewater effluent on the Onyar River, in the northeast Spain, with PFOS showing the highest PFAS concentrations. PFPeA was the only PFAS detected downstream but not upstream, suggesting that its primary source was wastewater.
Number of Carbons Is a Critical Parameter for Accumulation of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in the Human Brain
10 Feb 2025 | Environ Sci Technol
Longer-chain PFAS accumulate more in the human brain than shorter-chain PFAS, indicating that carbon chain length plays a crucial role in their distribution and raising concerns about potential neurological effects.
Maternal per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance concentrations and placental DNA methylation of thyroid hormone-related genes
8 Feb 2025 | J Hazard Mater
Exposure to PFAS during pregnancy may alter how certain genes in the placenta function, potentially affecting thyroid hormones in the developing baby and raising concerns about impacts on growth and health.
Surface soil PFAS mixtures dominated by PFOS: Prioritization for ecotoxicity testing and ecological risk assessment at current and former US Air Force Bases
7 Feb 2025 | Environ Toxicol Chem
PFAS mixtures in soil were dominated by PFOS (approximately 82%) but also included 5% to 12% of PFHxS, PFOA, PFOSA, and PFHxA. Additionally the study identified high concentrations but inconsistent prevalence of the 6:2 and 8:2 fluorotelomer sulfonates. These results highlight the need for toxicity testing of mixtures dominated by PFOS but including combinations of other PFAS.
Investigation of common and unreported parabens alongside other plastic-related contaminants in human milk using non-targeted strategies
6 Feb 2025 | Chemosphere
A study of human milk in Canada and South Africa detected multiple paraben-related contaminants, including restricted and uncommon ones, as well as a tire-related chemical, PFAS, and phthalate metabolites. The results emphasize the need to utilize non-target analysis as well as further research the usage, biotransformation, and potential toxicity of a number of contaminants.
Latest Policy
Two PFAS bills scheduled for Saturday House Energy and Natural Resources committee
7 Feb 2025
Legislation to eventually ban the sale of consumer goods containing so-called “forever chemicals,” and a second bill New Mexico officials hope will help advance cleanup, will be heard Saturday by the House Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee.
Maine bill could set PFAS limits for food grown by local farmers
6 Feb 2025
If approved, Maine could lead the nation in setting new PFAS thresholds for some of the foods we consume.
Notes from the field: Serum concentrations of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances among first responders to the Maui wildfires — Hawaii
6 Feb 2025
Median summed concentrations of selected PFAS among Maui County, Hawaii employees approximately 1 month after the 2023 Maui wildfires were higher among firefighters than among other responder groups. Sources other than the wildfires could have contributed to the levels.
Evers announces $145 million budget proposal to address PFAS pollution
4 Feb 2025
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers on Tuesday announced a $145 million budget proposal to address PFAS pollution across the state, an amount that more than doubles the money set aside in the last state budget to address the problem.
Reps. Pingree, Moore Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Help Outdoor Retailers Phase Out Toxic Forever Chemicals
4 Feb 2025
Currently, water-resistant clothing made with PFAS receives preferential tariff treatment with a 7% duty rate, while more sustainable alternatives face a 27% rate. The Act would remove the requirement that water-resistant garments must be the result of a rubber or plastics application.
Opportunities
[Public Comment] 2024 Draft PFAS Human Health Water Quality Criteria
Event: 24 Feb 2025
The EPA is accepting written comments from the public on the draft human health criteria through February 24, 2025.
International Conference “PFAS In Soil – Forever Pollution, Forever Concern?”
Event: 25 Mar 2025
The conference will provide an exchange platform for scientists, (political) decision-makers, representatives of authorities as well as experts dealing with PFAS emissions and contamination.
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