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
Three ‘Forever Chemicals’ Makers Settle Public Water Lawsuits
5 Jun 2023 | The New York Times
The $1.19 billion agreement, announced by Chemours, DuPont and Corteva, wouldn’t resolve all the claims against them.
King County files federal lawsuit against PFAS manufacturers for damage caused by toxic ‘forever chemicals’
2 Jun 2023 | King County
King County’s lawsuit against toxic PFAS 'forever chemicals' manufacturers seeks damages for the local impacts caused by past, present, and future contamination that will require treatment or cleanup.
The landmark trial that could determine who pays to rid America’s drinking water of PFAS
2 Jun 2023 | Grist
3M sold "forever chemicals" for decades. Will it foot the bill to get them out of our water supply?
Puerto Rico gov’t sues 20 companies for PFAS contamination
1 Jun 2023 | NimB
The government of Puerto Rico, on behalf of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, has filed a lawsuit against at least 20 companies for contamination of the island’s natural resources with toxic PFAS, which threaten the environment and people.
US FDA discovers PFAS in cod, shrimp, tilapia, salmon samples
1 Jun 2023 | Seafood Source
Out of 186 samples recently tested by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, PFAS were discovered in two cod samples, two shrimp samples, one sample of tilapia, and one sample of salmon.
Latest Science
Nationwide distribution of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in road dust from India
2 Jun 2023 | Sci Total Environ
Total PFAS in road dust was highest in urban followed by suburban and rural areas, with the highest estimated daily intake of PFAS via road dust ingestion found to be in toddlers.
The Devil they Knew: Chemical Documents Analysis of Industry Influence on PFAS Science
1 Jun 2023 | Annals of Global Health
The lack of transparency in industry-driven research on industrial chemicals, including industry strategies to suppress critical science, has significant legal, political, and public health consequences.
Identifying Unknown Fluorine-Containing Compounds in Environmental Samples Using 19F NMR and Spectral Database Matching
1 Jun 2023 | ES&T
The fluorine NMR spectrum of hundreds of fluorinated compounds was documented and used to determine the concentration of PFAS at an AFFF-contaminated site.
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Personal Hygiene Products: The Implications for Human Exposure and Emission to the Environment
1 Jun 2023 | Environ Sci Technol
Paper diapers contained the highest summed PFAS concentrations, followed by sanitary pads then menstrual cups; associated PFOA dermal absorption was estimated to contribute to more exposure than dust inhalation exposure.
Toxicological Mechanisms of Emerging Per-/poly-fluoroalkyl Substances: Focusing on Transcriptional Activity and Gene Expression Disruption
30 May 2023 | Toxicology
This review covered in vivo and in vitro studies, summarizing the hepatotoxicity of emerging PFAS and their interference with the endocrine system, including reproductive, developmental, and thyroid toxicity.
Latest Policy
Makers of PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ Covered up the Dangers
5 Jun 2023
The chemical industry took a page out of the tobacco playbook when they discovered and suppressed their knowledge of health harms caused by exposure to PFAS, according to an analysis of previously secret industry documents by UC San Francisco researchers.
'This Is the First Step': Minnesota Passes Most Comprehensive PFAS Ban in the Nation
26 May 2023
The ban forms part of H.F. 2310—an omnibus environment bill—and is one of the many new policies to come out of what progressives say is a "transformational" legislative session for the state.
Rep. Slotkin unveils 5 bills to protect military members, communities from PFAS
26 May 2023
A package of bills have been unveiled by Michigan U.S. Representative Elissa Slotkin Thursday to address PFAS exposure among service members and contamination on military installations in surrounding communities.
Minnesota Legislature passes environment and energy package that includes ban on "forever chemicals" PFAS
18 May 2023
Both chambers of the state legislature on Thursday approved a ban on so-called "forever chemicals" PFAS in consumer products, sending the bill to Gov. Tim Walz's desk for signature.
Republicans approve historic $125 million investment in 'forever chemical' clean up in state budget
18 May 2023
The 11 Republicans on the Joint Finance Committee voted late Thursday to put the money into a "PFAS trust fund."
Opportunities
EPA Takes Important Step to Advance PFAS Strategic Roadmap, Requests Public Input and Data to Inform Potential Future Regulations under CERCLA
Posted: 13 Apr 2023
U.S. EPA is issuing an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking asking the public for input regarding potential future hazardous substance designations of PFAS under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, also known as “Superfund.”
[Public Comment] ECHA PFAS Restriction Proposal
Event: 25 Sep 2023
ECHA is requesting public comments on proposed PFAS restrictions.