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
‘Forever Chemicals’ Reach Tap Water via Treated Sewage, Study Finds
13 Jan 2025 | The New York Times
But wastewater, even after treatment, contains high levels of harmful “forever chemicals” that are already contaminating the drinking water of millions of Americans, researchers said in a study published on Monday that analyzed wastewater samples nationwide.
3M PFAS lawsuits cost billions. Insurance giant AIG doesn't want to pay
13 Jan 2025 | Fox 9
Insurance company AIG filed a lawsuit against Minnesota-based manufacturer 3M to avoid paying for thousands of lawsuits related to 3M’s production and dumping of PFAS chemicals.
Fluorinated Drugs, a Type of PFAS, Contaminate Drinking Water for 23M in US
13 Jan 2025 | The New Lede
A new study finds the bulk of PFAS entering and exiting wastewater treatment plants is made up of fluorinated drugs.
Cookware group files lawsuit against Minnesota’s PFAS ban
13 Jan 2025 | MPR News
The Cookware Sustainability Alliance filed the complaint against Katrina Kessler, the commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. The complaint seeks a declaration that Amara’s Law, which went into effect on Jan. 1, is unconstitutional and unenforceable.
Early ‘forever chemicals’ exposure could impact economic success in adulthood – study
10 Jan 2025 | The Guardian
Those who lived in regions with firefighting training areas earned about 1.7% less later in life, research shows.
Latest Science
Unveiling per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances contamination in e-cigarette refill liquids: A comprehensive analytical assessment
15 Jan 2025 | Sci. Total Environ.
PFAS contamination was found in 84% of e-cigarette refill liquids, with certain compounds detected at significant levels, raising concerns about additional health risks from vaping and PFAS environmental release.
Common infections in children aged 6 months to 7 years after high prenatal exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances from contaminated drinking water in Ronneby, Sweden
7 Jan 2025 | Environ Res
High prenatal exposure to PFAS from contaminated drinking water in Sweden was linked to an increased risk of childhood ear infections and potentially eye and urinary tract infections.
Sex specificity in associations between exposure to a mixture of per and poly-fluoroalkyl substances and anxiety among US adults
7 Jan 2025 | J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol
Exposure to mixtures of PFAS was linked to anxiety in U.S. adults, with males showing decreased anxiety and females showing increased anxiety, highlighting sex-specific effects.
Evaluating Dermal Absorption of Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Implications for Other Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
6 Jan 2025 | Regul Toxicol Pharmacol
PFOA was found to have low dermal absorption compared to other harmful chemicals, with these authors selecting a 1.6% absorption rate as the published value most likely to be accurate, suggesting that ingestion remains a higher exposure pathway compared to skin contact.
Unveiling the Truth of Interactions between Microplastics and Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) in Wastewater Treatment Plants: Microplastics as a Carrier of PFASs and Beyond
6 Jan 2025 | Environ. Sci. Technol.
Microplastics in wastewater treatment plants were found to carry PFAS at concentrations ranging from 122 to 166 ng/g, with dominant compounds like PFOS and PFOA showing strong sorption and desorption behaviors, highlighting the dual roles of microplastics as both carriers and sources of PFAS.
Latest Policy
The Race to Remove ‘Forever Chemicals’ from Clothing Ahead of Bans
10 Jan 2025
New York and California forced companies to remove PFAS from apparel. It hasn’t been smooth.
FDA Announces Food Contact Notifications for 35 PFAS are No Longer Effective
6 Jan 2025
As of January 6, 2025, the U.S. FDA has announced that the food contact notifications for 35 PFAS are no longer effective, due to the abandonment of their uses by industry.
Final Effluent Guidelines Program Plan
6 Jan 2025
The Final Effluent Guidelines Program Plan 15 (Final Plan 15) announces one new rulemaking and several new studies.
EPA adds 9 more PFAS to chemical reporting requirements
3 Jan 2025
A federal report that tracks industrial releases of chemicals into the environment will include additional PFAS, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Friday.
US environmental agency fast-tracking new PFAS approvals for semiconductors
19 Dec 2024
Hastened reviews of compounds as industry ramps up could increase pollution from likely toxic chemicals.
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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