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
Why Dangerous 'Forever Chemicals' Are Still Allowed in America's Drinking Water
24 Sep 2020 | Consumer Reports
PFAS compounds are also ubiquitous, used in a range of products, from food-delivery boxes to nonstick cookware to stain-resistant clothing. But one of the most troubling routes to PFAS exposure is drinking water that has been contaminated by discharges from factories and other facilities
Private wells in some Harvard neighborhoods must include pre-sale test for PFAS
24 Sep 2020 | The Harvard Press
In 2019, the Board of Health asked the Army to test private wells in Harvard near areas of known PFAS groundwater contamination in Devens, MA. 11 of 114 private wells tested exceeded the state’s current guidance value.
These everyday toxins may be hurting pregnant women and their babies
23 Sep 2020 | The New York Times
PFAS, industrial chemicals used to waterproof jackets and grease-proof fast-food containers, may disrupt pregnancy with lasting effects.
PFAS GenX study draws direct comparisons with PFOA
23 Sep 2020 | The National Law Review
While this is but one study regarding GenX chemicals and the impact that they have on health, it is an important one for anyone closely following the PFAS science, litigation and regulations.
[Analysis] What do PFAS Actions Tell us About State Regulatory Officials?
22 Sep 2020 | Packing World
For one thing, the organization who brought us the model toxics law back in the 1990s that prohibited intentional use of four heavy metals in packaging, is considering amending their model law to include PFAS and phthalates.
Latest Science
Significance of Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Food Packaging
30 Sep 2020 | Integr Environ Assess Manag
A proof of concept method was developed using contact angle measurement analysis to determine the detection accuracy of C4-10 PFAS on the surface of recycled paper packaging materials.
Perfluorooctanoic acid in indoor particulate matter triggers oxidative stress and inflammation in corneal and retinal cells.
29 Sep 2020 | Sci Rep
Eye exposure to PFOA-containing particulates might induce oxidative stress and inflammation in the retina and represent a risk factor for age-related loss of vision.
Chemical Characterization of a Legacy Aqueous Film-Forming Foam Sample and Developmental Toxicity in Zebrafish
29 Sep 2020 | Environ. Health Perspect.
100 individual PFAS were detected in AFFF with PFOS being the most toxic to developing human models species.
Perfluoroalkyl substances are associated with elevated blood pressure and hypertension in highly exposed young adults
29 Sep 2020 | Environ Health
PFAS exposure was associated with adverse outcomes such as cardiovascular disease and target organ damage.
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) inhibits the gap junction intercellular communication and induces apoptosis in human ovarian granulosa cells
29 Sep 2020 | Reprod. Toxicol.
PFOA was associated with endocrine disruption causing cell death in human ovarian cells.
Latest Policy
Policy, health, and justice—focus of October meeting on PFAS contaminants in drinking water
13 Oct 2020
The University of Rhode Island STEEP Superfund Research Center is hosting a conference, “PFAS In Our World: What We Know and What We Can Do,” October 13 and 14, 2020.
Massachusetts to set a new MCL for the sum of six PFAS
24 Sep 2020
The MCL of 20 ppt is for the sum of six PFAS: PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS, PFNA, PFHpA, PFDA.
[Press Release] PFAS in food: EFSA assesses risks and sets tolerable intake
17 Sep 2020
When stetting the new, extremely low threshold for PFOS, PFOA, PFNA, and PFHxS, the European Food Safety Authority considered the decreased response of the immune system to vaccination as the most critical human health effect.
Judge rules for NH in 3M’s bid to block PFAS protections
8 Sep 2020
A Merrimack County judge has vacated a preliminary injunction previously granted to chemical company giant 3M, which sought to block the implementation of more protective PFAS standards.
Vermont Agency of Natural Resource's Advance Notice on the Regulation of PFAS as a Class
26 Aug 2020
After reviewing the current peer-reviewed literature, as well as the available toxicology data for PFAS, the Agency's Review Team determined that at the current time it is not feasible to regulate PFAS as a Class, other than the five compounds presently regulated to the health-based standard.
Opportunities
FLUOROS 2020: An International Symposium on Fluorinated Compounds and Their Impacts on Human and Environmental Health
Event: 13 Oct 2020
An opportunity for unbiased and multidisciplinary exchange of information regarding the latest developments and scientific advances on PFAS. Participants will share the latest knowledge and resources concerning the environmental and biomedical advances on PFAS and their work towards minimizing both human exposure and environmental effects related to PFAS.
[Informational Webinar] EPA's Innovative Ways to Destroy PFAS Challenge
Event: 23 Nov 2020
EPA is partnering with the other stakeholders, to co-sponsor a technical challenge regarding the destruction of PFAS. The challenge asks solvers to submit detailed plans for a non-thermal way of destroying PFAS in AFFF, while creating the least amount of potentially harmful byproducts with a $50,000 prize.
[Job opportunity] Postdoctoral Research Associate at Indiana University
Event: 1 Dec 2020
The Integrated Atmospheric Deposition Network team at Indiana University is looking for a postdoctoral research associate for a two-year appointment.
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