EPA Takes Important Steps Under PFAS Action Plan

The U.S. EPA has established health advisories at 70 parts per trillion (ppt) for two per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – PFOA and PFOS.  These compounds represent only two of thousands of fluorinated hydrocarbons that have become part of our daily lives.

On September 25, 2019, EPA sent two actions regarding PFAS to the Office of Management and Budget for review.  The first action is an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking that addresses adding PFAS to the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) chemical list.  The second action is a proposal to address notification and review of certain long-chain PFAS chemicals prior to importation into the United States under the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA).  These actions represent EPA’s steps to move forward on the EPA’s PFAS Action Plan.

“Today’s announcement is just one of the many ways we are delivering on the PFAS Action Plan – the most comprehensive, multi-media research and risk communication plan ever issued by the agency to address an emerging chemical of concern,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “These actions are intended to provide the public with more information on PFAS in the environment and to ensure that EPA receives notice of any plan to import certain persistent long-chain PFAS into the country, further protecting all Americans.”

Proposals on these actions will be issued after interagency review is complete.  ARM personnel continue to follow these developments and can assist our clients concerned about these compounds.

For more information: www.epa.gov/pfas

Read the full announcement at https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-takes-two-important-steps-under-pfas-action-plan