Why Do We Care?
You’ve likely heard about PFAS from news, books, documentaries, and even movies. You may have heard PFAS referred to as “forever chemicals” due to the fact that these chemicals are difficult to break down, treat and some have half-lives in the decades!
The combination of the long life of the chemicals and the fact that they are highly mobile in air and water, means that we are all being exposed to PFAS on a regular basis. While studies are still being conducted, past studies have linked PFAS with certain animal and human health effects. These health effects are one of the major reasons why PFAS are gaining so much attention.
Some of the health effects include:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Altered liver function
- Chronic kidney disease
- Difficulty becoming pregnant
- Osteoarthritis
In addition, PFOA is classified as “possible carcinogenic” for prostate, testicular, bladder, liver, or kidney cancer. (U.S. EPA 2017) (U.S. EPA 2018). For a more in-depth look at what PFAS are and their risks and benefits, check out this recent blog.
Knowing the potential health effects and their widespread use, it becomes clear why conversations around PFAS are gaining so much momentum and why regulations and litigation are heating up.
Regulatory Status Update
As PFAS regulations continue to evolve, it’s important to keep an eye on new and updated regulations. Below are a few rules and regulations to keep an eye on in the coming months.
PFAS Action Act of 2021
This bill passed in the House on July 22, 2021 and is currently awaiting Senate and President approval before becoming law. The U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EWP) held a hearing on October 20, 2021 to evaluate this act and the Federal responses to PFAS on the environment.
This act includes 18 proposed rules includes CERCLA hazard waste designation under CERCLA, setting maximum contaminant level (MCL) standards under the Safe Drinking Water Act, hazardous pollutant designation under the Clean Air Act, additions to wastewater discharge permits under Federal Water Pollution Control Act, additional reporting under the Toxic Substances Control Act, and a number of significant other U.S. EPA rules.
Federal Water Pollution Control Act
This act proposes a requirement to manufacturer or user to disclose a discharge of PFAS to water treatment works prior to discharge.
Draft Method 1633
This draft analytical method was published by the EPA in September of 2021 and will be key to passing and implementing several of the proposed Federal and state PFAS regulations.
It includes the analysis of PFAS in aqueous, solid, biosolids, and tissue samples by LC-MS/MS. This method tests for 40 PFAS substances in eight environmental media: wastewater, surface water, sediment, groundwater, leachate, soil, bio-solids, and fish tissue.
Retroactive Reporting Rule for PFAS
Under this Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) rule, articles required for reporting include products and all articles containing PFAS. Reporting applies to companies that used or incorporated PFAS in articles, manufacturing or imported products or components that included PFAS since January 1, 2011, a 10 year look back
Food and Drug Administration
In July 2021, the FDA announced voluntary agreement to phase out short-chain PFAS. The agreement is for a three-year phase-out and includes the following:
- 6:2 fluorotelomer alcohol (6:2 FTOH)
- 6:2 FTOH is now in 15 food packaging products supplied to the U.S.
In addition to the changing rules and regulations surrounding PFAS, businesses should keep an eye on changing trends in litigation.
Litigation Update
In the past, PFAS-related litigation primarily focused on private party personal injury litigation against major PFAS manufacturers. In the past, manufacturers have also been sued by investors for failures to disclose PFAS liability. As regulations around PFAS continue to grow, we will likely see an increase in these types of lawsuits.
Looking to the future, PFAS litigation will likely expand even further through regulatory enforcement under one of the major environmental statutes. This includes citizen suits, discharge limits, drinking water standards, and remediation actions.
When it comes to litigation and dealing with PFAS issues, there are a few key notes to keep in mind. In dealing with public affairs, remember, protections are NOT retroactive – once it’s out, you can’t put it back in. It is crucial to keep internal communications, drafts, and other documents just that, internal.
With the EPA adding additional PFAS to TRI list in the future, consider proactive audits to “get ahead” and protect those communications. Remember, the EPA publishes all TRI data after it is collected.
