The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has designated two widely used PFAS chemicals, the PFOA and PFOS, as hazardous substances under the country’s Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (Superfund program), as reported by Reuters on April 19. The Superfund program empowers the EPA to clean up contaminated sites nationwide and holds responsible parties, including site owners, waste generators, and waste transporters, accountable for cleanup costs. However, the designation will not ban theuse of these chemicals but require companies to report leaks of the two PFAS and help pay for the clean-up of hazardous sites. In addition, the EPA will prioritize enforcement against major contributors to the release of PFAS, such as federal facilities and manufacturers.

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, has extensive use in various industry and consumer productssuch as nonstick frying pans, stain-resistant rugs, and cosmetics. Exposure to these chemicals can lead to cancer or other health problems. The new designation represents one of the most aggressive actions against the forever chemicals. However, the campaign provoked resistance from leading industry group, the American Chemistry Council, which criticizes the Superfund program as costly, ineffective, and impractical for addressing forever chemical remediation. The regulatory action follows a recent EPA rule to limit the levels of PFAS in drinking water. The regulatory announced the landmark drinking water earlier in April, with an extra USD1bn offered to states to cover the costs of monitoring the cancer-causing chemicals in their water systems.

Sources:

https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/us-designates-pfas-chemicals-superfund-hazardous-substances-2024-04-19/

https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/biden-harris-administration-finalizes-critical-rule-clean-pfas-contamination-protect

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/apr/19/epa-forever-chemicals-law

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-sets-first-standard-curb-forever-chemicals-drinking-water-2024-04-10/