Mapping the PFAS contamination crisis: New data show 610 sites in 43 states
15 May 2019 | EWG News Release
The known extent of contamination of American communities with the toxic fluorinated compounds known as PFAS continues to grow at an alarming rate, with no end in sight. As of March 2019, at least 610 locations in 43 states are known to be contaminated, including drinking water…
Congress told to stop PFAS at pollution sources
15 May 2019 | MLive
[PFAS] have been found in 43 states and officials have identified where at least 19 million people drink water containing them. Requests to the military for mitigation abound; some cleanups are underway. And many states - including Michigan - are looking at legislation and new regulation to increase protections for resident… increasing scrutiny... before they reach drinking water needs to be part of the national agenda...
Michigan AG plans to sue 3M over PFAS crisis
9 May 2019 | woodtv
Michigan Attorney General announced Thursday she will pursue litigation against Minnesota-based 3M, the maker of PFAS that has contaminated wells and waterways across the state… 3M produced PFAS for decades for products like Scotchgard and firefighting foam…
NRDC pushing Michigan to set very low PFAS drinking water limits
8 May 2019 | MLive
Defense Council is pushing Michigan to adopt public drinking water standards for several toxic PFAS chemicals that would be the strictest thus far of any state in the nation. In a new report delivered to state officials today, the NRDC says Michigan should set…
MI Gov. Whitmer establishes PFAS regulation policy, developing water standards, Action Response Team
8 May 2019 | The Michigan Daily
On Tuesday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer released a statement saying Michigan will establish polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) drinking water standards this year. PFAS has been an issue for Michiganders and the Ann Arbor community over the past few years and has become increasingly concerning, especially after Ann Arbor reported an increase in PFAS levels…
Why researchers and regulators have more questions than answers about PFAS (podcast)
8 May 2019 | The Whyy
Communities in Pennsylvania and New Jersey have grown increasingly worried about a class of toxic chemicals known as PFAS. These ‘forever chemicals’ are in lots of consumer products from pizza boxes to dental floss. And they’ve been found to have contaminated soil and drinking water. But as fears about the potential…
States, experts say EPA role on PFAS chemicals crucial
6 May 2019 | Echo Pilot
Even as states across the country work to address toxic per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) by creating their own drinking water protections, legal experts and regulators say the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency plays a crucial role. The dynamic is particularly important where the military is…
Chemours reveals amount of toxic PFAS substitute it sent to plant in South Jersey
6 May 2019 | WITF
The chemical company Chemours shipped thousands of pounds of a toxic PFAS substitute to its Chambers Works site in South Jersey between 2015 and 2018, and generated specific quantities of chemical waste at the plant over a longer period. The company’s newly released report, which it sent to…
Wisconsin DNR asks that more chemicals be evaluated for safe levels in groundwater
1 May 2019 | Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The Department of Natural Resources is asking a state health agency to study the potential impacts of a group of unregulated contaminants as a prelude to setting safe limits in groundwater. The agency on Wednesday asked the Department of Health Services to review 40 chemical compounds to recommend…
A busy time for the New Jersey DEP – More PFAS action and NRD lawsuits
1 May 2019 | The National Law Review
On April 1, 2019, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) proposed drinking water standards for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) that are significantly more stringent than the federal health advisory of 70 ppt. DEP proposed a maximum contaminant level (MCL) of…
3M settlement with water authority totals $35 million
29 Apr 2019 | AL.com
3M will pay the West Morgan East Lawrence Water and Sewer Authority $35 million in a lawsuit settlement. According to filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission,the settlement amount was agreed upon this month. The company and water authority issued a joint statement Friday on the settlement of the federal…
E.P.A. proposes weaker standards on chemicals contaminating drinking water
29 Apr 2019 | The New York Times
After pressure from the Defense Department, the Environmental Protection Agency significantly weakened a proposed standard for cleaning up groundwater pollution caused by toxic chemicals that contaminate drinking water consumed by millions of Americans and that have been commonly used at military bases. Standards released by…
Five years after discovery, PFAS concerns continue in Bucks and Montgomery Counties
25 Apr 2019 | Bucks County Courier Times
Steve Vernik’s home sat empty for months, passed over again and again until he eventually sold it earlier this month, for $25,000 less than he originally sought. There’s little doubt in his mind it’s because of the toxic chemicals that were found in his drinking…
Scientists dig into hard questions about the fluorinated pollutants known as PFAS
25 Apr 2019 | NPR
Scientists are ramping up research on the possible health effects of a large group of common but little-understood chemicals used in water-resistant clothing, stain-resistant furniture, nonstick cookware and many other consumer products. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances are generally referred to by their plural acronym, PFAS. PFAS are resistant to…
PFOA working group forming in Hoosick area
22 Apr 2019 | The Bennington Banner
Read the full article by Jim Therrien “The town of Hoosick and village of Hoosick Falls are forming a working group of residents and business owners to participate in discussions on pending Superfund cleanup work at PFOA-contaminated sites. Hoosick Town Supervisor Mark Surdam and village Mayor Robert Allen outlined the plan in a progress report…