Welcome to the forefront of PFAS knowledge with the SGS PFAS Academy! For over two decades, SGS has been immersed in the world of PFAS, pioneering commercial environmental measurement and setting industry standards on best practice. At the SGS PFAS Academy, we offer a wealth of resources tailored to meet all your needs on PFAS.
March revealed important developments and worries in the PFAS field, highlighting the increasing awareness and concern about these persistent contaminants. Globally, PFAS gained attention for innovations like the first consumer-initiated blood test and cutting-edge electrochemical techniques for water treatment, which were contrasted with research showing PFAS in deodorants and their connection to cardiovascular illnesses. In the meantime, technological advancements and regulatory actions took place in many areas, such as Illinois’ Maximum Contaminant Levels and the United States’ EPA’s asbestos ban. Environmental activists in Canada have stepped up their requests for action against PFAS, in line with the current discussion about regulatory actions to lessen the harmful effects of PFAS pollution. Find all the latest PFAS updates in our monthly Newsletter!
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SGS PFAS Update
1633 Draft No More!
With the successful completion of the multi-laboratory validation, EPA 1633, developed by SGS, has reached its final pre-promulgation stage. This is a significant milestone not only for SGS as the leading experts in PFAS analysis but also for the entire environmental testing industry. Following rigorous multi-laboratory validation, EPA 1633 now stands as the comprehensive reference method for PFAS in non-potable aqueous, solid, and tissue samples.
Find out what that means for you here.
US Policy News
US PFAS MCL Clears Office of Management and Budget
The regulation of 6 PFAS in US drinking water and the establishment of a maximum contaminant limit (MCL) cleared an important hurdle with the finalization of the Office of Management and Budget review. This puts the regulation of PFOS, PFOA, PFNA, PFHxS, PFBS and HFPO-DA in drinking water one step closer to finalization.
EPA issues PFAS test order as part of National Testing Strategy | US EPA
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued the fourth Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) test order requiring testing on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) under EPA’s National PFAS Testing Strategy, the latest action taken under EPA’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap to confront contamination from “forever chemicals” nationwide. This action orders the 3M Company and Wacker Chemical Corporation to conduct and submit testing on the physical-chemical properties of 2-(N-Methylperfluoro-1-octanesulfonamido)ethanol (NMeFOSE) (CAS: 24448-09-7), including testing on the health effects following inhalation of this chemical. NMeFOSE has been used widely in products, including clothing and carpet treatments as well as furniture coatings (paint and varnish).
EPA Releases Draft IRIS Toxicological Review of PFNA
On March 7, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the draft Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) Toxicological Review of Perfluorononanoic Acid (PFNA) and Related Salts. PFNA has been used in the manufacture of consumer products and the synthesis of fluoropolymers. Some PFAS, including 8:2 fluorotelomer alcohol, can also degrade to PFNA. The review states that “currently available evidence demonstrates that PFNA causes developmental growth impairments in humans given sufficient exposure conditions.” A draft non-cancer lifetime oral reference dose was set at 7 x 10-9 milligrams per kilogram per day. Additionally, the EPA indicates in the review that “currently available evidence is insufficient to make a judgment on whether PFNA exposure might affect the development of any specific cancers.” Public comments on the draft review can be submitted online until May 6, 2024.
U.S. Federal Budget for Fiscal Year 2025 Includes Over $450 Million for PFAS
On March 23, 2024, President Joe Biden signed the previously released budget request for fiscal year 2025 after congressional approval. Over $500 million is included in the budget for the EPA’s Clean Water Act grant programs, including $288 million allocated to the Section 106 grants program aimed at helping state, interstate, and tribal water pollution programs assess PFAS impacts in the environment. Additionally, approximately $170 million is included for the EPA to continue addressing PFAS through various initiatives in its PFAS Strategic Roadmap, and $1.6 billion is allocated towards environmental restoration efforts at U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) sites.
US News by State
National
70 million Americans drink water from systems reporting PFAS to EPA. Is yours on our map?
Toxic PFAS chemicals are found in drinking water supplies throughout New Mexico. The state’s contamination of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances were largely tied to fire-fighting foam at Air Force bases and other industrial practices in the state. The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) recently successfully petitioned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to consider listing several of these chemicals as “hazardous waste,” giving the state and federal government enforcement power when requiring entities to investigate and clean up the contamination.
Water coalition testifies before Congress on importance of PFAS exemption for utility companies
The Water Coalition Against PFAS testified on Capitol Hill March 20, 2024 before the Senate Environment & Public Works (EPW) Committee at a hearing entitled “Examining PFAS as Hazardous Substances.” The Coalition examined the implications of listing certain per-and polyfluoroakyl substances (PFAS) as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability ACT (CERCLA).
DoD Identifies Installations Where PFAS Interim Actions are Underway
In February 2024, the DoD released a list of more than 30 DoD installations and National Guard facilities where cleanup actions for PFAS are ongoing or will begin soon. Air Force, Army, Defense Logistics Agency, Formerly Used Defense Sites, and Navy installations are included. Interim actions are being taken under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) at these sites, and the DoD is prioritizing PFAS cleanups in communities with the highest risk of exposure. Interim actions are intended to mitigate damage to public health and the environment and may include soil excavation and groundwater extraction and treatment. The DoD “expects to take additional interim actions as more information becomes available from our investigations at over 700 installations and National Guard facilities.”
California
Athletes likely to have higher levels of PFAS after play on artificial turf – study
Concerns regarding the safety of artificial turf have been raised by new research that indicates athletes may be exposed to increased levels of harmful PFAS “forever chemicals” when playing on the surface. PFAS levels increased after playing on artificial grass, according to a study that looked at levels on the skin of six-year-old soccer kids and their coach. The first results of the study highlight the need for caution when it comes to artificial turf, especially considering how commonplace it is in sporting fields. Many towns and sports leagues have called for bans on artificial turf and for its replacement with natural grass fields due to worries about potential exposure to PFAS.
Colorado
Refineries and chemical plants face ban on use of PFAS
Colorado lawmakers want to beef up legislation that bans PFAS, so-called forever chemicals, by 2028. Yahn Olson is an associate attorney with Environmental Litigation Group, which is taking companies that produce PFAS to court on behalf of firefighters in Colorado and other states exposed at military bases.
Connecticut
US Kleenex plant contaminated drinking water with PFAS, lawsuit says
Toxic PFAS “forever chemical” pollution from a Connecticut Kleenex plant has contaminated nearby drinking water, put residents’ health at risk and destroyed their property value, a new federal class-action lawsuit alleges.
Illinois
Process to Establish Maximum Contaminant Levels for PFAS in Illinois
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is starting to set Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for PFAS in Illinois due to no federal guidelines. To determine the prevalence of PFAS in drinking water, a thorough statewide investigation must be conducted. Thorough scientific and economic studies must then be performed to provide guidance for the creation of MCLs that are unique to Illinois.
Michigan
State investigating PFAS contamination in Hamilton
Michigan’s PFAS Action Response Team has opened a new investigation in Hamilton, declaring an area of interest in Heath Township. Several drinking wells in Hamilton were recently tested for PFAS. Results showed two shallow wells contained PFAS at concentrations above drinking water criteria, according to the MPART website. A drinking well tested at 50 parts per trillion of PFOA, or perfluorooctanoic acid, while an irrigation well tested at 19 parts per trillion.
Minnesota
Why wasn’t public told sooner about Stillwater PFAS contamination?
Nearly a year after a city well was shut down due to PFAS contamination, Stillwater residents will soon see the first official notice from the government of the problem — a delay that’s drawn criticism from former Gov. Arne Carlson. In a letter to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), Carlson called it “stunning” that people weren’t informed sooner.
New Jersey
The first physician-ordered blood draw test for PFAS compounds was introduced by Quest Diagnostics, and it may be accessed on questhealth.com. Because PFAS are persistent in both the environment and the body, they are referred to as “forever chemicals” and this test panel measures their levels. Exposure to PFAS has been linked to several negative health outcomes, such as elevated cholesterol and cancer. The test intends to give easy access to high-quality testing and insights that are in line with CDC guidelines and recommendations from scientific authorities to people who are at risk of excessive PFAS exposure, such as firefighters or those who live close to industrial sites.
New York
Harmful “Forever Chemicals” Removed From Water With New Electrocatalysis Method
A novel electrochemical technique has been created by researchers at the University of Rochester to eliminate dangerous “forever chemicals,” or PFAS, from water. These substances, which can be found in a variety of goods like food packaging and clothes, are extremely harmful to human health. The researchers concentrated on PFOS, a particular class of PFAS that is prohibited in many jurisdictions yet persists in the environment.
Canada News
Environmentalists, firefighters, and experts in the health of Northern Indigenous people gathered in Ottawa to call for action against dangerous PFAS substances, or “forever chemicals.” Advocates highlighted the widespread PFAS contamination in common products and its consequent effects on human health and the environment, supported by recent polling showing substantial popular support for PFAS action. Since PFAS has been linked to a number of health problems, including cancer, asthma, and immune system suppression, calls have been made for extensive regulation under Canada’s Environmental Protection Act.
$20-million project launched to remediate PFAS-contaminated site used by military
A collaborative effort between the Department of National Defense and the city of North Bay, Ontario, has begun to remove contamination at a site that contains PFAS, also referred to as “forever chemicals.” The source of the pollution is the military’s use of PFAS-containing aqueous film-forming foams during training exercises at Jack Garland Airport in the 1970s through the 1990s. Remedial actions were therefore required as PFAS affected wells, groundwater supplies, and Trout Lake. The $20 million initiative is a cooperative effort to address the legacy of PFAS pollution in the area by attempting to reduce the risks to the environment and public health associated with PFAS contamination.
Time for Ottawa to protect Canadians from ‘forever chemicals,’ toxics experts say
Given that PFAS are persistent in the environment and provide serious health hazards, environmental experts are pleading with Ottawa to take action against them. Environmental Defense’s Cassie Barker stressed the pressing necessity of completing Health Canada’s draft recommendation to classify PFAS as harmful under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, allowing for regulation and maybe outright prohibitions. Barker emphasized that to stop dangerous compounds from just being replaced by others, it is crucial to address the entire class of PFAS.
Global News
Indications of PFAS “Forever Chemicals” Found in Deodorants
Given their possible health dangers, Mamavation carried out a consumer survey to look for signs of “forever chemicals” (PFAS) in popular deodorants. An EPA-certified laboratory tested fifteen different deodorant brands, and the results showed that some of the products contained PFAS. The widespread usage of PFAS in cosmetics and kitchenware among other household goods raises serious health concerns. Although the precise health consequences of being exposed to PFAS differ, they are associated with grave illnesses. The findings of Mamavation highlight the need of making educated decisions as a consumer and increase knowledge regarding the existence of PFAS in common items.
PFAS in Blood Linked to Increased Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases
According to a disconcerting new study by DZNE experts, there may be a connection between blood levels of PFAS chemicals and a higher risk of cardiovascular illnesses. The study, which examined data from more than 2,500 adults, discovered that almost all of the subjects had measurable amounts of PFAS, with the negative consequences being more severe in younger participants.
68 PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ Found by Scientists in Food Packaging Worldwide
New research by environmental scientists with Switzerland’s Food Packaging Forum Foundation has uncovered 68 per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) “forever chemicals” in food packaging – including plastic, paper and coated metal. Used by manufacturers for decades in products like nonstick cookware, water-repellent clothing, stain-resistant fabrics, cosmetics, firefighting foam and food packaging, more than 12,000 of the human-synthesized chemical compounds are known to exist, according to the study.
