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
Study finds foam on Wisconsin rivers and lakes has higher PFAS levels than waters below
22 Jul 2024 | Wisconsin Public Radio
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have found that naturally occurring foams on state waterways have PFAS levels as much as thousands of times higher than waters that lie below.
Scientists raise concerns after study suggests dangerous chemicals are lurking in popular foods: 'They're everywhere'
22 Jul 2024 | The Cool Down
"The results definitely point toward the need for environmental stewardship, and keeping PFAS out of the environment and food chain," Dartmouth researcher and lead author Megan Romano told the publication. "Now we're in a situation where they're everywhere and are going to stick around even if we do aggressive remediation."
It’s ‘almost impossible’ to eliminate toxic PFAS from your diet. Here’s what you can do
22 Jul 2024 | The Guardian
In recent years, research has found or pointed to the presence of toxic PFAS “forever chemicals” in a range of staples, products, and beverages across the food system.
National PFAS Class Action Refiled, to Stay in District Court
19 Jul 2024 | Bloomberg Law
A revised class action that seeks information about the health effects of two PFAS will remain in the federal district court that partly granted the plaintiff’s request in 2022.
Ditching PFAS chemicals requires reality check, scientists argue
18 Jul 2024 | The Hill
But coordination, creative thinking and a proactive approach can help guide a speedy transition to safer materials while avoiding a “regrettable” pivot to equally harmful chemicals, researchers wrote Thursday in Science.
Latest Science
[Perspective] From “forever chemicals” to fluorine-free alternatives
18 Jul 2024 | Science
PFAS are persistent chemicals with significant health hazards, leading to regulatory actions and efforts to find safer alternatives, which present challenges in ensuring effective replacements without causing unintended consequences or compromising performance.
Nontarget Analysis of Legacy and Emerging PFAS in a Lithium-Ion Power Battery Recycling Park and Their Possible Toxicity Measured Using High-Throughput Phenotype Screening
17 Jul 2024 | Environ Sci Technol
The rapid growth of the lithium-ion battery recycling industry and scarcity of battery materials is raising concerns about environmental risks, particularly from PFAS, with a study identifying 25 types of PFAS in battery recycling areas and highlighting their toxicity and widespread presence.
Effect of Short-term Sample Storage and Preparatory Conditions on Losses of 18 Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) to Container Materials
15 Jul 2024 | Chemosphere
Glass and PET labware containers had the lowest losses of PFAS to adsorption, highlighting the need for careful selection of container materials and storage conditions when analyzing PFAS, especially for long-chain compounds.
The Fate of Fluorine Post Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Destruction during the Thermal Treatment of Biosolids: A Thermodynamic Study
15 Jul 2024 | Energies
PFAS found in biosolids can be partially destroyed and converted to smaller compounds during thermal treatment, with factors like feedstock composition and the addition of minerals significantly affecting the emission and capture of fluorine compounds, offering insights for optimizing thermal treatment processes.
Accumulation of Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Coastal Sharks from Contrasting Marine Environments: The New York Bight and The Bahamas
12 Jul 2024 | ES&T
Sharks from the New York Bight have significantly higher and more diverse concentrations of PFAS compared to those from the Bahamas, highlighting the impact of human population density on PFAS accumulation in marine predators.
Latest Policy
From Emerging Compounds to Forever Chemicals - Navigating Evolving Regulation of and Responsibility for PFAS in the Environment
19 Jul 2024
This article summarizes current PFAS regulations, examines the regulations' impact on businesses, and offers practical guidance for legal compliance and proactive risk management.
Wilmington resolution supports state legislation holding GenX and PFAS manufacturers financially accountable
18 Jul 2024
Mayor Bill Saffo introduced a resolution at the Wilmington City Council meeting last night that supports legislation that would force chemical manufacturers to finance clean water efforts, which is currently waiting in committee in the NC House.
North Carolina regulators pass on establishing standards for forever chemicals
17 Jul 2024
The Environmental Management Commission committee votes to pursue groundwater standards for only three PFAS compounds at the September meeting.
EPA Releases New Science-Based Recommendations to Help More States, Tribes, and Territories Reduce Exposure to PFAS in Fish
15 Jul 2024
“It’s important for EPA to continue advancing the science on PFAS as part of our comprehensive effort to protect the public from these harmful substances,” said EPA Acting Assistant Administrator for Water Bruno Pigott. “By considering the latest science in their local advisories and testing for PFAS in fish at a local level, states and Tribes can protect subsistence, recreational, and sport fishers.”
Firefighting Foam: DOD is Working to Address Challenges to Transitioning to PFAS-Free Alternatives
8 Jul 2024
The Defense Department is mandated to stop using PFAS-containing firefighting foam, but faces challenges like the lack of a suitable replacement, an estimated transition cost of over $2.1 billion, and potential delays requiring waivers until 2026.
Opportunities
[Job] EPA Fellowship on Application of Non-Targeted Analysis of PFAS in Biota
Event: 8 Nov 2024
A research training opportunity is available at the EPA, Office of Research and Development, Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, Atlantic Coastal Environmental Sciences Division located in Narragansett, Rhode Island.
[Job] Research Associate - Michigan State University
Event: 1 Apr 2025
The Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition seeks a Research Associate (Postdoctoral Researcher) to work in Dr. Courtney Carignan’s research program.
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