In the latest on per- and polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), earliest this week, the EPA sent a letter to the governors of 56 states and territories announcing its plan to host a National Leadership Summit on PFAS in Washington, D.C. on May 22 and 23. Stakeholders from across the country are invited to participate in identifying immediate actions to address the public’s growing concern over PFAS. At the Summit, the EPA plans to:
- Share information on ongoing efforts to characterize risks from PFAS and develop monitoring and treatment/cleanup techniques;
- Identify specific near-term actions, beyond those already underway, that are needed to address challenges currently facing states and local communities; and
- Develop risk communication strategies to address public concerns with PFAS.
After the Summit, the EPA then plans to travel to states with communities impacted by PFAS, and develop a PFAS Management Plan by Fall 2018. Additional actions that EPA plans to undertake this year include, developing human health toxicity values for GenX and PFBS, develop Superfund cleanup standards for PFOA/PFOS, updating EPA’s Drinking Water Treatability Database for multiple PFAS, and provide a description of federal authorities applicable to PFAS contamination. The EPA also recently published an PFAS infographic on its website defining PFAS, its known avenues of exposure, and the associated health effects.
The EPA’s upcoming initiatives, starting with the National Leadership Summit on PFAS, confirms the urgency, gravity, and attention that PFAS has generated over last few years. With the EPA taking the PFAS dialogue nationally, states that have been on the front lines in addressing PFAS issues will be able to receive and benefit from much needed guidance, research, leadership, and federal resources.