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
Tests show high level of 'forever chemicals' in Montreal firefighter bunker gear
18 Nov 2024 | CBC
Tests conducted at Université de Montréal's environmental chemistry laboratory for Radio-Canada's Enquête revealed high levels of PFAS in the textiles that make up a firefighter's bunker gear, the clothing they wear when they respond to calls.
USGS estimates 20% of U.S. population relies on PFAS contaminated drinking water
16 Nov 2024 | OPB
About 800,000 Oregonians might rely on private or public well water contaminated by toxic chemicals called “forever chemicals,” or PFAS, according to a federal study.
Trump EPA Pick Seen Supporting PFAS Limits, Revising Water Rules
13 Nov 2024 | Bloomberg Law
If confirmed as EPA administrator, former Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.) is expected to support PFAS drinking water standards and prioritize rolling back wetlands regulations.
PFAS may be contaminating drinking water for up to 27% of Americans – study
13 Nov 2024 | The Guardian
PFAS may be contaminating drinking water for people in the US who draw water from the nation’s aquifers via private or public wells, a new federal government study estimates.
Michigan’s PFAS drinking-water limits hang in balance of Supreme Court case
13 Nov 2024 | Bridge Michigan
The Michigan Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday in a case that could make or break rules requiring water suppliers to filter cancer-causing “forever chemicals” out of customers’ drinking water.
Latest Science
Impact of local food consumption on exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctane sulfonate in a contaminated community in North-Eastern Italy
30 Nov 2024 | Epidemiol Prev
Consuming locally-grown foods in PFAS-contaminated areas can significantly increase exposure to PFOA and PFOS, leading to prolonged elevated blood levels, with affected individuals taking about three more years to reduce their concentrations to levels below a clinically significant threshold level.
Fate of ‘forever chemicals’ in the global cryosphere
18 Nov 2024 | Earth-Science Reviews
This review highlights the spread, accumulation, and release of PFAS in the cryosphere, including impacts from global warming, which poses significant ecological risks and harms biodiversity.
Environmental Occurrence and Biotic Concentrations of Ultrashort-Chain Perfluoroalkyl Acids: Overlooked Global Organofluorine Contaminants
13 Nov 2024 | Environ Sci Technol
Ultrashort-chain perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs), including TFA, are widely present in the environment and living organisms, with rising concentrations over the past three decades, often exceeding those of longer-chain PFAAs in various ecosystems.
Permeation of Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)-Laden Leachate in Landfills as an Outcome of Puncture Failures of High-Density Polyethylene Geomembranes
12 Nov 2024 | Environmental Pollution
Puncture failures in high-density polyethylene landfill liners increase the permeation of hazardous PFAS-laden leachate. Short-chain PFAS, due to their surfactant properties, significantly enhanced permeation rates, highlighting concerns over environmental contamination if proper landfill protections are not maintained.
Forever chemicals don't make hero mutant ninja turtles: Elevated PFAS levels linked to unusual scute development in newly emerged freshwater turtle hatchlings (Emydura macquarii macquarii) and a reduction in turtle populations
11 Nov 2024 | Sci Total Environ
Elevated PFAS exposure in freshwater turtles was linked to metabolic disruptions, deformities in hatchlings, altered egg biochemistry, and a decline in juvenile turtle populations, highlighting the urgent need for regulatory measures to address the environmental impact of these "forever chemicals."
Latest Policy
EPA’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap: Three Years of Progress
11 Nov 2024
The EPA’s 2024 PFAS Strategic Roadmap outlines progress in addressing the widespread threat of PFAS contamination to human health and the environment, focusing on restricting chemical entry, remediating contaminated areas, and advancing scientific research to mitigate risks effectively.
Water activists 'concerned' but will keep fighting 'forever chemicals' as Trump returns
8 Nov 2024
On April 10, Spaniola stood among a handful of fellow activists in an ornate White House office, jubilantly glued to a television screen showing officials from the Environmental Protection Agency announcing the first-ever limits on so-called “forever chemicals” in drinking water.
Water regulator applies stricter PFAS limits to drinking water in England and Wales
7 Nov 2024
The Drinking Water Inspectorate is set to apply more stringent restrictions on the levels of PFAS allowed in drinking water in England and Wales.
Military adopts ‘action level’ policy for PFAS cleanup that’s 3 times federal EPA standard
1 Nov 2024
The Defense Department's new policy allows the Navy to further delay action to remedy drinking water contamination by plume migrating off Calverton site.
Vice President Harris supports Michigan-led plan to provide medical care for military victims of PFAS
25 Oct 2024
Michigan Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow and Rep. Dan Kildee introduced The Veterans Exposed to Toxic PFAS Act in July of 2023. Recently, Vice President Kamala Harris announced her support for the bill as a part of her presidential campaign.
Opportunities
[Job] Principal Scientist at The Green Science Policy Institute
Event: 29 Nov 2024
The Green Science Policy Institute would like to hire a Principal Scientist to collaborate with and support the Executive Director and Institute team in carrying out the Institute’s mission to reduce the use of harmful chemicals for healthier products, people, and planet.
[Public comment] US FDA developing post-market assessment process for chemicals in food
Event: 6 Dec 2024
Informational meeting on the proposal will be held on September 25, 2024. Public comment period ends on December 6, 2024
[Job] Postdoctoral Analytical Chemist - USDA
Event: 31 Dec 2024
The USDA, Agricultural Research Service, in Wyndmoor, PA, is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to conduct research on targeted and non-targeted analysis of PFAS in food and food packaging.
PFAS Central Partners
