PFAS Central: sharing notable news, scientific papers & events
Although useful, PFAS or highly fluorinated chemicals are associated with serious health harm and can remain in the environment forever.
Latest News
For Trump, Chemicals in Straws Are a Crisis. In Water, Maybe Less So.
5 May 2025 | The New York Times
An administration document aimed at eradicating paper straws highlights the dangers of PFAS chemicals. Their presence in tap water nationwide hasn’t gotten the same attention.
Navy addressing 'forever chemicals' leaking from Pensacola-area bases to private water wells
5 May 2025 | Pensacola News Journal
In response to new national drinking water standards, the U.S. Navy is preparing to address PFAS in private drinking water wells near Naval Air Station Pensacola, Corry Station and Saufley Field beginning in May.
EPA plan on PFAS cleanup may let polluters off the hook
2 May 2025 | Environmental Health News
The Trump administration's new PFAS roadmap is raising red flags among public health experts who fear it could weaken protections and slow the cleanup of toxic chemicals in drinking water.
Stantec to design largest PFAS treatment system in Northwestern U.S.
2 May 2025 | WFM
The City of Vancouver, Washington, has selected Stantec to design a treatment system to remove PFAS from a high-volume water station — with the goal of providing cleaner, more reliable drinking water for the community.
Chemical makers knew the harms. It didn’t matter.
2 May 2025 | The Washington Post
In “They Poisoned the World,” investigative journalist Mariah Blake writes about the campaign to hide the dangers of forever chemicals.
Latest Science
Elevated per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in tap water and serum in a community near an abandoned paper mill
5 May 2025 | Environ Adv.
Long-term exposure to PFAS-contaminated drinking water in a Michigan community was identified as a primary predictor of chronic elevated serum levels.
Environmental impact of PFAS incineration
5 May 2025 | Waste Management Bulletin
Improper incineration of PFAS firefighting foam can release high levels of greenhouse gases.
Individual and mixtures of PFAS during pregnancy are associated with maternal cardiometabolic outcomes during pregnancy
30 Apr 2025 | Environ Health
The majority of pregnant woman tested in central Arkansas had PFAS in her blood, and those with the highest levels showed shifts in cholesterol, triglycerides, resting pulse, and diastolic blood pressure— indicating potential harm to heart health during pregnancy.
High-resolution mass spectrometry for identification, quantification, and risk assessment of 40 PFAS migrating from microwave popcorn bags
29 Apr 2025 | Molecules
A pilot study found a small sampling of Chinese microwave popcorn bags released dozens of PFAS into food, and although standard tests suggest low risk, a more comprehensive assessment reveals combined exposures could surpass health guidelines, highlighting the need for stricter regulation.
Evaluation of co-foaming agents for enhanced removal of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) by foam fractionation
28 Apr 2025 | J Hazard Mater
A proof-of-concept study showed that a biodegradable, surfactant derived from shea butter can replace harsher chemicals in foam‑based water treatment and still strip more than 99% of harmful PFAS, including hard‑to‑remove short‑chain PFAS, from contaminated groundwater.
Latest Policy
EPA PFAS “Action List” Answers Little and Raises New Questions
1 May 2025
Under the Trump administration, uncertainty has been the theme of predictive conversations related to actions that the new administration might take related to PFAS.
Administrator Zeldin Announces Major EPA Actions to Combat PFAS Contamination
28 Apr 2025
In this suite of actions, Administrator Zeldin announced a long list that included in part the designation of an agency lead for PFAS, the creation of effluent limitations guidelines for certain PFAS to stop these forever chemicals from entering drinking water systems, and initiatives to engage with Congress and industry to establish a clear liability framework that ensures the polluter pays and passive receivers are protected.
EPA Asks Court for 30 Days to Finish PFAS Superfund Rule Review
25 Apr 2025
The EPA asked a federal appeals court on Friday to give the agency’s new leadership more time to conclude their review of a rule making two PFAS hazardous substances under Superfund.
BWS alerts DOH to PFAS in Waipahu ʻEwa Waiʻanae water system
22 Apr 2025
The updated map excludes PWS 355 Barbers Point, which is currently operated and owned by Hawaii Water Service.
How PFAS regulations have changed in the Trump administration, so far
14 Apr 2025
Much of what took place under the Biden administration is likely to be scrutinized by the new Trump administration.
Opportunities
Addressing the risks from Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
Event: 26 May 2025
We welcome submissions from anyone with answers to the questions in the call for evidence. You can submit evidence until Monday 26 May 2025.
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