EPA allowed companies to make 40 new PFAS chemicals despite serious risks
19 Sep 2019 | The Intercept
Despite their dangers, at least 15 of these 40 PFAS compounds that were the subject of substantial risk reports are not only on the most recent list of compounds in active use but also are produced in very large quantities.
EPA refuses to promise federal limit on PFOA exposure
18 Sep 2019 | Times Union
David Ross, assistant administrator for the EPA's Office of Water, could not promise that a [PFAS] maximum contamination level would definitely be set until their evaluation is complete... But a decision on setting a federal standard should be made before the end of the year.
Microbe chews through PFAS and other tough contaminants
18 Sep 2019 | phys.org
The researchers were very encouraged to see these bacteria [Acidimicrobium bacterium A6] substantially degrade the famously recalcitrant class of chemicals but cautioned that more work was needed before reaching a workable treatment.
Chemical company execs come under fire at congressional hearing on PFAS
18 Sep 2019 | North Carolina Health News
For the first time, executives from Chemours, DuPont and 3M were called before a U.S. House environmental oversight committee to discuss their accountability in the PFAS contamination plaguing North Carolina and the country.
DuPont looks to kill $4B chemours liability-offloading suit
18 Sep 2019 | Law 360
DuPont is asking a court to end a $4 billion suit by spinoff Chemours over ballooning environmental liabilities.
EPA awards $6M to research potential environmental impacts of PFAS waste streams
17 Sep 2019 | WaterWorld
Research will expand the understanding of the environmental risks posed by PFAS in waste streams and identify practical approaches to manage the potential impacts as PFAS enters the environment.
The Home Depot to stop selling carpet containing PFAS
17 Sep 2019 | MLive
The Home Depot will be phasing out PFAS December 31, 2019 in the U.S. and Canada in carpets and rugs.
Defense Department says "forever chemical" cleanup costs will dwarf earlier estimates
17 Sep 2019 | The Hill
Military leaders said Thursday that “forever chemical” contamination costs are likely to surpass their original $2 billion estimate as Congress works to push the Department of Defense (DOD) to clean up contaminated water across the country.
Colorado ramps up response to toxic “forever chemicals” after discovery of hot spots across metro Denver
13 Sep 2019 | The Denver Post
Groundwater tests over the past year have detected high levels of toxic “forever chemicals” across the Denver metro area, contamination that’s both wider and more severe than previously known.
Guest opinion: How to expedite PFAS contamination cleanup
13 Sep 2019 | The Intelligencer
If this national crisis isn’t important enough for the EPA to flex its muscle, what is? If it never exercises its authority, it’s as if it has none.
EWG Investigates – The science on PFAS: Rebuttal to 3M’s claims
12 Sep 2019 | EWG
EWG’s Science Investigations Team's response to 3M downplaying the risks of PFAS.
Concerns rise over tainted sewage sludge spread on croplands
12 Sep 2019 | Associated Press
Several states are examining sewage sludge for PFAS contamination and assessing potential dangers. Maine has enacted a nonbinding advisory level for PFAS in sludge and New Hampshire is working with the U.S. Geological Survey on a soil study whose results will help them set a standard. Maine also found most biosolids from more than 30 wastewater treatment plants were above the state's advisory level while neighboring New Hampshire detected PFAS in tests of sludge from two dozen permit holders. Neither state found traceable levels of PFAS in the milk tested. Based on sludge tests at 41 plants, Michigan ordered several to stop distributing it to farms.
Companies deny responsibility for toxic ‘forever chemicals’ contamination
11 Sep 2019 | The Guardian
The 3M Company, the Chemours Company and DuPont appeared before lawmakers over PFAS. Denise Rutherford, senior vice-president of corporate affairs for 3M, argued the chemicals pose no human health threats at current levels and have no victims, conflicting with a large body of research and 3M’s own internal documents.
‘Forever chemicals’ now found in Massachusetts schools
9 Sep 2019 | Boston Globe
The water fountains [at the schools in Stow] have been turned off. The state decided to test the water in Stow because of the schools’ proximity to the former Fort Devens-Sudbury Training Annex... wells at the Hale School had a cumulative total of more than 38 ppt of five of the chemicals; the Center School had more than 24 ppt.
What toxicologist says parents should know about PFAS exposure
9 Sep 2019 | MLive
Jamie DeWitt, a pharmacology and toxicology professor at East Carolina University’s Brody School of Medicine, provides practical information relating to PFAS contamination.