MAY / JUN 2025
EPA’ s“ major actions” on PFAS contamination
US EPA administrator Lee Zeldin has outlined some planned actions to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances( PFAS). Further actions are envisaged later. The agency said that its actions are guided by three key principles. Under‘ Strengthening the Science’, it will:
• Designate an agency lead for PFAS to better align and manage efforts across agency programmes
• Implement a PFAS testing strategy under TSCA Section 4 to seek scientific information informed by hazard characteristics and exposure pathways
• Launch additional efforts on air-related PFAS information collection and measurement techniques related to air emissions
• Identify and address available information gaps where not all PFAS can be measured and controlled
• Provide annual instead of three-year updates to the PFAS Destruction & Disposal Guidance
• Ramp up the development of testing methods to improve detection and strategies to address PFAS
The second is‘ Fulfilling Statutory Obligations &
Enhancing Communication’. This comprises actions to:
• Develop effluent limitations guidelines( ELGs) for PFAS manufacturers and metal finishers and evaluate other ELGs necessary to reduce PFAS discharges
• Address the most significant compliance challenges and requests from Congress and drinking water systems related to national primary drinking water regulations for certain PFAS
• Determine how to better use RCRA authorities to address releases from manufacturing operations of both producers and users of PFAS
• Add PFAS to the Toxic Release Inventory in line with Congressional direction from the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act
• Enforce Clean Water Act and TSCA limitations on PFAS use and release to prevent further contamination
• Use its Safe Drinking Water Act authority to investigate and address immediate endangerment
Zeldin is a veteran congressional campaigner on PFAS issues
• Achieve more effective outcomes by prioritising riskbased review of new and existing PFAS chemicals
• Implement Section 8( a) 7 to smartly collect necessary information, as Congress envisioned and consistent with TSCA, without overburdening small businesses and article importers.
• Work with Congress and industry to establish a clear liability framework that operates on the ' polluter pays ' principle and protects passive receivers
Finally, under‘ Building Partnerships’, the EPA vowed to:
• Advance remediation and clean-up efforts where drinking water supplies are impacted by PFAS contamination
• Work with states to assess risks from PFAS contamination and the development of analytical and risk assessment tools
• Finish public comment period for biosolids risk assessment and determine a path forward based on comments
• Provide assistance to states and tribes on enforcement efforts
• Review and evaluate any pending state air petitions
• Resource and support investigations into violations to hold polluters accountable
MAY / JUN 2025 SPECCHEMONLINE. COM
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