Firefighters Battle an Unseen Hazard: Their Gear Could Be Toxic
26 Jan 2021 | The New York Times
“We’re exposed to these chemicals every day,” Captain Mitchell said. “And the more I looked into it, the more it felt like the only people who were saying these chemicals were safe were the people who make it.”
Biden administration looks set to target ‘forever chemicals,’ as 3M warns about ‘onerous regulation’
26 Jan 2021 | Market Watch
President Joe Biden’s administration looks poised to crack down on a group of “forever chemicals” that have been linked to a range of health problems, a move that could put companies like 3M and DuPont on the hook for billions of dollars in cleanup costs.
Firefighters battle an unseen hazard: Their gear could be toxic
26 Jan 2021 | New York Times
Firefighters are demanding independent testing for cancer-linked chemicals known as PFAS in their gear and that their union drop sponsorships from chemical and equipment makers.
EWG Petitions EPA To Fine Chemical Maker More Than $400M for Failure To Report Tests
26 Jan 2021 | EWG
As the EPA continues to move forward with its assessment of risks posed by PFAS, address contamination, and protect public health, we write to notify you of an apparent violation of reporting requirements by Solvay under Section 8(e) of the Toxic Substances Control Act
[PRESS RELEASE] DuPont, Chemours and Corteva reach $4 billion settlement on ‘forever chemicals’ lawsuits
22 Jan 2021 | Environmental Working Group
Under the terms of a cost-sharing agreement to settle lawsuits involving the historic use of PFAS, expenses will be split, with DuPont and Corteva responsible for half and Chemours responsible for the other half.
U.S. EPA’s Interim Guidance on PFAS Destruction and Disposal lacks adequate precision
21 Jan 2021 | JDSupra
Following the guidance’s recommendations is not a "get-out-of-jail-free" card; improper disposal or incomplete destruction of PFAS that may occur, even if following the guidance, does not protect a company from a government enforcement action or an action for damages under, for example, federal or state statutes, or common law.
EPA introduces additional action items under its 2019 PFAS Action Plan
21 Jan 2021 | National Law Review
These action items put EPA one step closer to formal regulation of these substances, and provides PFAS manufacturers, producers, users, and discharges a blueprint of the compliance requirements that will dictate their operations within the coming years.
Grand Haven school turning on new water filtration system after 2018 PFAS detection
21 Jan 2021 | MLive
The Michigan district will pay for at least 20% of the $161,000 cost of the filtration system, but will have to pay for future system maintenance. A state grant will cover the remaining design and installation costs.
[Blog] PFAS free & I’m lovin’ it
19 Jan 2021 | U.S. PIRG
McDonald’s just committed to phasing out PFAS-treated food packaging from its restaurants globally by 2025. Other restaurants, like Burger King and Wendy’s, should follow its lead.
Fish consumption advisory issued for Lake Superior smelt for first time
18 Jan 2021 | Duluth News Tribune
The DNR is recommending people eat no more than one meal per month of smelt because of the high levels of PFAS. This is the first PFAS-based fish consumption advisory for the Great Lakes.
N.J. sues U.S. military, wants feds to pay for tainted drinking water cleanup
15 Jan 2021 | NJ.com
For decades, the U.S. military used a special foam to fight fires on bases around the Garden State. That foam, and the toxic chemicals inside it, slowly seeped into the surrounding area and throughout groundwater supplies...
Nearly 100 million Chinese people supplied drinking water with ‘unsafe’ levels of toxic chemicals
15 Jan 2021 | South China Morning Post
The study found extremely high levels of PFOA and PFOS in three Chinese cities in the Yangtze River Basin, which were attributed to the presence of fluorochemical plants and industries that use multiple PFAS, such as leather, textile and paper manufacturing.
McDonalds pledges to stop using PFAS in food packaging by 2025
15 Jan 2021 | MLive
Burgers, fries, cookies and other menu items at the world’s largest fast food chain will no longer come with a side of “forever chemicals” after McDonalds phases out toxic PFAS from its food packaging over the next several years.
PFAS exposure found to increase risk of severe Covid-19
12 Jan 2021 | Chemistry World
There are also warning that PFASs could diminish the effectiveness of a vaccine against the novel coronavirus.
PFAS product liability cases – are the floodgates now open?
12 Jan 2021 | National Law Review
Even companies without direct use or knowledge of PFAS use in products should consider a review of supplier materials, as those materials may have PFAS as a component, which could some day subject the company to legal liability issues.