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
Elevated PFAS levels found in tap water in major U.S. cities
24 Jan 2020 | UPI
A new study of tap water samples across the United States has revealed PFAS compounds, human-made chemicals linked with a variety of health problems, to be more prevalent than earlier surveys.
Study: PFAS found in Ann Arbor drinking water
23 Jan 2020 | Michigan Advance
U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Dearborn) called on Congress to pass legislation that establishes national regulations on PFAS in drinking water and increases cleanup efforts.
Assembly advances PFAS bill
23 Jan 2020
The bill, which now heads to the State Senate, would prevent firefighters from using foam that contains PFAS, a family of toxic chemicals. The bill would allow the use of toxic foam in emergencies and in cases when fire departments have a plan to deal with the foam.
EPA adds 160 PFAS to Toxics Release Inventory
23 Jan 2020 | C&EN
US businesses that emit any of 160 types of PFAS to air, water, or land will have to report those releases to the Environmental Protection Agency.
More PFAS questions, concerns in Brunswick
22 Jan 2020 | Star News Online
Schools send bottled water to one site as county and water officials defend their current practices and future endeavors.
Latest Science
Serum concentrations of perfluorinated alkyl substances in farmers living in areas affected by water contamination in the Veneto Region (Northern Italy).
21 Jan 2020 | Environ Int
The main factors influencing PFAS serum levels of farmers were residence area, gender, years of residence in the municipalities, well water consumption and consumption of own-produced food.
Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substance concentrations in human breast milk and their associations with postnatal infant growth.
21 Jan 2020 | Sci. Total Environ.
Daily intake levels of PFAS through breastfeeding were calculated and found to negatively affect postnatal infant growth.
Increased Cardiovascular Risk Associated with Chemical Sensitivity to Perfluoro-Octanoic Acid: Role of Impaired Platelet Aggregation.
21 Jan 2020 | Int J Mol Sci
Associations between cardiovascular health disease and PFAS exposure were made.
Advanced Treatment Technologies Efficacies and Mechanism of Per- and Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substances Removal from Water
20 Jan 2020 | Proc. Safety and Environ. Prot.
PFAS removal efficacy and mechanisms through advanced technologies are reviewed.
Side-chain fluorinated polymer surfactants in biosolids from wastewater treatment plants
20 Jan 2020 | J. Haz. Mat.
High concentrations of PFAS linked to Scotchguard were found in 20 wastewater treatment plants.
Latest Policy
US, Japan defense officials discuss how to address chemical contamination near American bases
17 Jan 2020
During a recent meeting the officials agreed that the two governments should work together to create a task force for handling toxic chemicals.
Communities Petition EPA to Regulate Hazardous PFAS Chemicals
16 Jan 2020
The Green Science Policy Institute is petitioning the EPA to list hundreds of PFAS (per- and polyfluorinated chemicals) as hazardous wastes under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).
[Public comment] Massachusetts DEP: PFAS Maximum Contaminant Level Proposed Amendments & Public Comment
27 Dec 2019
MassDEP proposed regulatory changes to develop a drinking water standard for six PFAS and will be accepting public comments on proposed regulations ending on February 28, 2020.
U.S. EPA: Interim Recommendations for Addressing Groundwater Contaminated with PFOA and PFOS
26 Dec 2019
The U.S. EPA released its interim recommendations for cleanup guidance for CERCLA, RCRA, and other federal cleanup programs.
Michigan starts collecting firefighting foam containing PFAS
13 Dec 2019
After the foam is picked up, it will be shipped to a facility in Idaho. There it will be solidified and placed in a licensed hazardous waste landfill.
Opportunities
[Grant Opportunity] $4.8 Million in Funding for New Research on Managing PFAS in Agriculture
Deadline: 11 Feb 2020
EPA is seeking grant applications that help improve the agency’s understanding of the potential impacts of PFAS on water quality and availability in rural communities and agricultural operations across the United States. Specifically, the agency is seeking research on PFAS occurrence, fate, and transport in water sources and new or improved PFAS treatment methods appropriate for small drinking water and wastewater systems. Visit the EPA's website for more information and to apply.
[Public comment] Massachusetts DEP: PFAS Maximum Contaminant Level Proposed Amendments & Public Comment
Posted: 27 Dec 2019
MassDEP proposed regulatory changes to develop a drinking water standard for six PFAS and will be accepting public comments on proposed regulations ending on February 28, 2020.
Northeast Conference on the Science of PFAS: Public Health & the Environment
Event: 31 Mar 2020
NEWMOA, in collaboration with others, has organized a conference to ensure that action to address PFAS contamination is informed by the most current and reliable science. There is also an open call for conference presenters, posters, and sponsors.
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