On September 29, 2022, The World Health Organization (WHO) published its draft guidance on perfluorooctanoic acid (“PFOA”) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (“PFOS”) in drinking water, which are the most widely studied of the per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). PFAS are a
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Promising Use of Bioremediation to Break Down Forever Chemicals
By Max Swetman & Emily Sample
Early results show that using bioremediation to break down “forever chemicals” is working at an airport around Madison, Wisconsin. At the Dane County Regional Airport, scientists are introducing microbes into the groundwater to reduce the presence of PFAS in the…
Sixth Circuit Grants Interlocutory Review of Massive PFAS Class Certification
By Natasha Corb & Yuhanna Whye
Recently, a three-judge panel of the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit granted interlocutory review of an enormous class action that could significantly impact the future of PFAS litigation. The decision came as defendants in Hardwick v. 3M,…
California To Pass Three Bills Regulating Use of PFAS in Cosmetics and Clothing
By Brian Gross & Yuhanna Whye
In recent years, state and federal agencies have either passed or proposed increasingly stringent regulations regarding the use of per-fluoroalkyl and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in consumer products. Not surprisingly, the state of California has been at the forefront of these…
EPA Takes First Step to Designate PFAS as Hazardous Chemical Under CERCLA
By Carrie Lin & Max Swetman
On August 26, 2022, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced proposed rulemaking to designate two types of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as “hazardous chemicals” under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA).
PFAS are a class…
The Chemical Industry Challenges the EPA’s New Lifetime Health Advisories for PFAS
In June 2022, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released new lifetime health advisories (LHAs) for per-fluoroalkyl and poly-fluoroalkyl chemicals (PFAS). PFAS are a type of man-made chemicals found in many industrial and consumer products, soil and drinking water. According to…
Threat of Zero-Allowance Regulations Loom for Forever Chemicals
By Brian Gross & Emily Sample
For many years, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been ubiquitous in American commerce and industry. That ubiquitous use, and the fact that PFAS chemicals do not break down in the environment, has led to the presence of PFAS in…
The National Academy of Sciences Issues Report on PFAS Health Effects
By Carrie Lin & Yuhanna Whye
The National Academy of Sciences—a private, non-profit organization—recently issued a report regarding committee findings on the human health effects from exposure to per-fluoroalkyl and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). PFAS are a class of over 12,000 man-made chemicals, commonly used in consumer…
US House Passes Legislation Requiring Extensive Reporting of PFAS by Department of Defense
By Max Swetman & Emily Sample
Every year, the federal government passes the National Defense Authorization Act, allocating the budget for the Department of Defense (DoD). In this year’s bill, the US House of Representatives voted to require the DoD to monitor and reduce potential contamination…
California Adds PFAS to List of Chemicals Subject to Prop 65 Enforcement Actions
By Natasha Corb & Yuhanna Whye
California has just added per- and poly-fluoralkyl substances (PFAS) to the list of chemicals requiring consumer warnings under Proposition 65, meaning that state residents can soon expect to see the words “cancer” and “reproductive harm” on such common consumer products…