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
I Tested My Blood, Tap Water, Household Products, and Cat for PFAS
23 Feb 2021 | Consumer Reports
After spending several months reporting on the PFAS crisis, an alarming realization hit—taco night might be poisoning me.
Firefighters' Catch-22: Protective gear full of carcinogens
16 Feb 2021 | E&E News
Firefighters are exposed to cancer-causing chemicals in the very clothing and gear that is meant to protect them, a paradox that stems from standards set under industry influence.
‘Am I going to regret it?’: forever chemicals dilemma for breastfeeding mothers
15 Feb 2021 | The Guardian
Added exposure to PFAS through breastmilk can lead to a much higher level of the chemical in the infant compared with exposure in utero, causing additional risk during sensitive early development.
New University of Arizona studies looking at possible PFAS-COVID-19 link
15 Feb 2021 | Arizona Daily Star
Underlying this research are previous scientific findings that PFAS at high enough concentrations in people have been documented to weaken immune systems’ resistance to disease.
Topo Chico Cuts PFAS Levels by More Than Half in New Tests by Consumer Reports
12 Feb 2021 | Consumer Reports
Coca-Cola has reduced the level of PFAS chemicals in Topo Chico Mineral Water, the beverage maker’s popular sparkling mineral water, according to new tests by Consumer Reports.
Latest Science
Cross-Flow Treatment of PFAS in Water: Materials Challenges and Potential Solutions
23 Feb 2021 | Acc. Mater. Res.
Thin-film composite membranes have shown highly efficient in removing PFAS from contaminated water.
Exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances and blood pressure in pregnancy among 1436 women from the Odense Child Cohort
23 Feb 2021 | Env Int
PFAS exposure was found to have potential long-term health implications for both the mother and the child.
Environmental occurrence and biotransformation of perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acid precursors: Fluorotelomer alcohols
23 Feb 2021 | Env. Chem.
In this paper, the sources and physicochemical properties of FTOHs were introduced, the analytical methods and environmental occurrence of FTOHs were reviewed, and the biotransformation processes and toxic mechanisms of FTOHs were analyzed.
Quantifying Interferent Effects on Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Sensors for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
23 Feb 2021 | Anal Chem
A molecularly imprinted polymer electrode was developed for the detection of PFOS and explored the electrode surface and the effects of interfering molecules.
Temporal Trends of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Delaware River Fish, USA
23 Feb 2021 | Integr Environ Assess Manag
Significant decreases in PFNA and PFUnA concentrations were observed in fish fillet from the tidal river during the timeframe of the study, changes in concentrations of other PFAS in tidal and nontidal fish were less substantial.
Latest Policy
Gillibrand, Rep. Maloney Announce Bill To Protect Firefighters From PFAS
22 Feb 2021
New York U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney were in Newburgh Monday announcing legislation to protect firefighters from PFAS.
$4 billon settlement to protect Chemours, DuPont, Corteva against legacy PFAS liabilities
13 Feb 2021
DuPont, Chemours and Corteva reached the agreement in 2020 and made the announcement three weeks into the new year. It attempts to protect all three against “potential legacy PFAS liabilities,” a joint statement from the three CEOs says.
EPA PFAS Regulations: “PFAS A Priority” Says Incoming Administrator
9 Feb 2021
While Mr. Regan was questioned on many topics during his hearing, his statements supported two key points that we have been predicting for several months: (1) that Biden’s EPA will place top priority on PFAS and (2) that the EPA’s PFAS regulations under the Safe Drinking Water Act are coming – soon.
EPA Delivers Results on PFAS Action Plan
26 Jan 2021
The U.S. EPA announced a suite of actions from across the agency that will continue the significant progress the agency has made to implement the PFAS Action Plan—the most comprehensive cross-agency plan ever to address an emerging chemical of concern.
Notice of Availability for Public Comment: Interim PFAS Destruction and Disposal Guidance
12 Jan 2021
The EPA is requesting public comment on its recently published Interim PFAS Destruction and Disposal Guidance.