February saw significant developments in PFAS regulations and testing across the U.S. The USEPA’s addition of new PFAS compounds to regional screening levels (RSLs) and the continued rollout of federal drinking water standards signal a tightening regulatory landscape. Meanwhile, state-level proposals highlight the growing focus on mitigating PFAS contamination. Next month, we’ll be following the public comment period for the EPA’s Method Update Rule (MUR), which includes Method 1633A for PFAS analysis in wastewater and other matrices.
SGS Updates: TFSI & More!
At SGS, we continue to advance PFAS testing by introducing analysis for the lithium battery electrolyte bistrifimide (TFSI). In addition, with the EPA’s recent update to regional screening levels (RSLs) for TFSI, PFPrA, and PFODA, SGS now offers measurement of these newly listed PFAS compounds. These expanded capabilities ensure that your samples meet evolving regulatory requirements with precise and reliable data.
For more information on how these updates impact you, contact our experts today.
Stay tuned! Click on SGS PFAS/emerging contaminants analysis capabilities, and see why SGS delivers what you need every step of way.
US Policy News
Amid a flurry of actions curtailing Biden’s environmental policies, the administration of newly inaugurated President Donald Trump this week withdrew a plan to set limits on toxic PFAS chemicals in industrial wastewater. The draft rule, which the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sent to the White House for review in June, was seen as a precedent-setting move by reducing allowable discharges of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a class of chemicals that have been linked to an array of health problems.
US News by State
National
PFAS Chemicals Could Make A Comeback Under Trump EPA: Votes & Verdicts
Former EPA Director of the Office of Science and Technology Dr. Betsy Southerland joins BI Litigation Analyst Holly Froum to talk about the regulatory outlook for cancer causing PFAS, also called “forever chemicals” found in drinking water all over the nation.
How Best To Deal With Forever Chemicals In Drinking Water?
One of the biggest issues in sustainability is how to treat and eradicate “forever chemicals” such as polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS as it is sometimes known. In April 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced new standards for regulating six PFAS in drinking water. The new rules require public water systems to complete initial monitoring for PFAS by 2027.
Of course, there is now a new administration in the White House with a new set of priorities, but the issue of how to deal with contaminated water remains.
Local News
Maryland
Proposed bill could ban certain pesticides with PFAS chemicals in Maryland
A proposed bill in Maryland could require the Department of Agriculture to ban certain pesticides and PFAS, or forever chemicals, from being used in the state. Under House Bill 386, the Department of Agriculture would have to develop a list of certain pesticides that have forever chemicals as active ingredients. Those listed chemicals would not be allowed to be used or sold in the state.
Michigan
New USGS model reveals widespread PFAS contamination in Michigan’s groundwater
One out of three Michiganders should be concerned about the water that’s coming out of their taps. That’s what a new U.S. Geological Survey predictive study suggests when it comes to the forever chemicals known as PFAS.
North Carolina
EPA study questions safety of sewage sludge as fertilizer. Will it impact Charlotte Water?
Charlotte Water “is closely monitoring” a new federal report on potential health risks of sewage sludge spread on farmland as fertilizer — a practice the utility has used for years. A new risk assessment released in January by the Environmental Protection Agency found the sludge —generated during the wastewater treatment process — can contain levels of certain synthetic chemicals dangerous to human health. The sludge is officially called biosolids.
Texas
Texas County Declares Disaster After ‘Shocking’ Water Contamination Test
Officials in Johnson County, Texas, declared a state of disaster on Tuesday after extensive testing revealed dangerous levels of “forever chemicals” in agricultural land, groundwater and animal tissue.
Canada News
Known as ‘forever chemicals,’ PFAS above federal objective level detected in Slemon Park
The levels of “forever chemicals” detected in Slemon Park’s wells exceed the objective that was set by Health Canada last summer, according to a letter sent to residents of the western Prince Edward Island community on Feb. 5. The chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — or PFAS for short— can be found in everyday items like waterproof gloves, carpets, non-stick cookware and firefighting foam.
Global News
Swiss Authorities Draw Up New Rules To Manage PFAS
The Swiss federal authorities are working on drawing up regulations for PFAS “forever chemicals”. A government report on this complex issue is expected by the end of the year with a possible action plan.
