The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hosted a National Leadership Summit in Washington DC last week to address concerns across the nation about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Participation was limited to 200 federal, state, local and tribal officials and representatives from industry and community organizations. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt opened the summit by outlining a four-step action plan to address PFAS. The plan includes the following points:
- Initiate steps to evaluate need for a maximum contaminant level (MCL) for perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctaonoic acid (PFOA), two fluorinated organic chemicals that are part of the larger PFAS family of compounds.
- Begin the necessary steps to propose designating PFOA and PFOS hazardous substance through one of the available statutory mechanisms, including potentially CERCLA Section 102.
- Continue with development of groundwater cleanup recommendations for PFOA and PFOS at contaminated sites.
- In partnership with states, develop toxicity values for GenX and perfluorobutane sulfuric acid (PFBS).
