SGS Updates:
Our lab played an important role in a study conducted by a group of scientists from the government of Minnesota featuring EPA 1633 PFAS tissue measurements by SGS. The study investigates the presence of PFAS in white-tailed deer harvested near three PFAS-contaminated sites in Minnesota: Lake Elmo, Duluth, and Camp Ripley. PFAS, particularly PFOS, were found in 100% of liver samples and 88% of muscle samples. The use of standard, well validated methods means the data is benchmarked appropriately and can easily be compared with other similar studies. With more than 25 years of experience in PFAS, we have developed best practices around tissue measurements and more.
Read more: Oh Deer! Findings from Minnesota’s Deer PFAS Study – SGS EHS NAM
SGS Anchorage Lab Achieves DoD-ELAP Accreditation for PFAS by EPA 1633A in Aqueous Solids
We’re proud to announce that our SGS Anchorage laboratory is now accredited by the Department of Defense Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (DoD ELAP) to perform EPA Method 1633A for PFAS in aqueous solids, a significant expansion of Alaska’s in-state analytical capabilities. This makes our laboratory the only full-service environmental laboratory in Alaska with DoD ELAP accreditation for PFAS by Method 1633A.
Stay tuned! Click on SGS PFAS/emerging contaminants analysis capabilities, and see why SGS delivers what you need every step of way.
US Policy News
EPA Request To Lift Stay in PFAS Suit Granted by D.C. Circuit
The EPA continues to advance its review of the Biden Administration’s 2024 final rule regarding drinking water standards for PFAS. On July 22, 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit granted EPA’s Motion to Govern Future Proceedings, thereby lifting the existing stay on consolidated cases challenging EPA’s PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (“NPDWR”). On August 1, the parties submitted a joint request establishing two near-term deadlines: (1) EPA will inform the court of its position in litigation by September 10, 2025, and (2) a joint proposed briefing schedule will be filed by September 17, 2025.
US News by State
National
Military bases flagged for high PFAS while EPA status remains unchanged
The EPA still labels Cherry Point “under control,” yet 2023 tests show PFAS at 12× legal limit. New report warns 15 U.S. bases pose ongoing health risks as cleanup lags.
FDA issues its position on PFAS in medical devices
The FDA said that it has found no reason to restrict the use of certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in medical devices, including polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).
Millions more Americans now exposed to toxic PFAS in tap water, new EPA data shows
The EPA’s ongoing national water monitoring effort found PFAS contamination in water systems serving seven million more people than previously reported.
The findings come from the agency’s Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 5), which tests for 29 types of PFAS compounds and will continue through 2026.
Experts say PFAS contamination is likely underreported and expect it to grow, as the chemicals are widespread, highly persistent, and difficult to remove from the environment.
California
The California Senate recently passed a bill, SB 682, that would essentially eliminate the use of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals,” in food packaging within the state, as of January 1, 2028. Given the broad support in the Senate for this bill and the fact that the California Assembly and Governor Gavin Newsom have been strong proponents of similar legislation in the past, SB 682 will likely be signed into law by September 2025, when the current legislative session ends.
New York
New York has increased PFAS regulations as understanding has improved
Zeldin pushed the compliance deadline for the new regulations, and promised to establish an outreach program focused on reaching noncompliant water systems, especially those in rural and small communities, to connect them with resources to bring their projects into compliance with the new rules. The initial rules required water systems to properly filter and remove the six contaminants by 2029, but the changes made by Zeldin push the broad deadline for PFOA and PFOS compliance to 2031.
New Jersey
New Jersey says 3 chemical makers agree to ‘forever chemical’ settlement worth up to $2 billion
DuPont and two other companies will pay New Jersey up to $2 billion to settle environmental claims stemming from PFAS, commonly referred to as “forever chemicals.” State Environmental Commissioner Shawn LaTourette said the deal with DuPont, Chemours and Corteva is the largest such settlement in the state’s history. It calls for the companies to pay $875 million over 25 years and create a remediation fund of up $1.2 billion. The companies will split the costs under the deal, which must still be approved by the courts.
Jersey Water begins work on new PFAS treatment after panel calls for stricter legal limits
JERSEY Water is moving ahead with plans to develop new treatment solutions to remove all traces of PFAS from the Island’s water supply – after independent scientific advisors called for stricter limits on the amount of the chemicals in the mains network.
North Carolina
PFAS in food: Findings from a Gillings-led public health study
Recently, a new study led by researchers at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health found that PFAS is in more of what we eat than we realize, both in ultra-processed foods, like ready-to-go meals, and unprocessed or minimally processed foods, like seafood and meat products. These chemicals have been linked to several health harms, including increased cholesterol levels, cardiovascular and immune system issues, reproductive and developmental toxicity, and low infant birth weight. PFAS can even pass through the placenta, meaning many babies have PFAS already in their blood at birth.
Florida
Toxic chemicals in Temple Terrace water spark fertility fears, health concerns
The city faces a $40 million bill to meet federal standards as residents switch to bottled water.
Nevada
Harry Reid airport fire station replaces trucks that used ‘forever chemicals’
Harry Reid International Airport showcased two new specialized fire trucks at the on-site fire station Friday morning, replacing a decade-old model that used “forever chemicals” in its firefighting foam.
The Federal Aviation Administration has been moving to get rid of the once-commonplace chemicals, as long-term exposure can cause major health problems. The new foam is also better for the environment.
Virginia
Navy wants to sample well water in VB for PFAS
Starting this month, the Navy is requesting permission from property owners to sample wells that are used for drinking water. Scientists are testing water samples for PFAS that could flow in the direction of ground water.
Minnesota
As part of the PFAS pollution prevention law called Amara’s Law, manufacturers are required to report intentionally added PFAS in products sold in Minnesota and pay a fee.
Manufacturers have been able to prepare for PFAS reporting since Amara’s Law was enacted in May 2023. The law requires reporting a description of the product, the purposes/functions that PFAS play in the product, the amount of each type of PFAS, and other information.
Washington, D.C
On July 22, 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia (D.C.) Circuit granted a motion by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to lift the abeyance in consolidated litigation challenging the agency’s National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for PFAS, finalized by the Biden administration in April of 2024.
EPA’s NPDWR for PFAS established six maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for six PFAS compounds: PFOA and PFOS, regulated individually; and PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA (GenX), and certain mixtures, regulated collectively.
Kentucky
EPA pulls funding from Louisville air pollution study amid environmental justice rollback – EHN
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under President Trump has denied Louisville’s appeal to restore a canceled $1 million grant intended to fund air pollution research in the predominantly Black neighborhoods near the Louisville’s Rubbertown industrial corridor.
UofL research shows combined exposure to alcohol and “forever chemicals” increases liver damage
Have you ever wondered why some people who drink alcohol develop serious liver problems while others don’t? A study from University of Louisville researchers published last month in Toxicological Sciences suggests that the answer might be hidden in everyday sources such as drinking water, food packaging or even non-stick cookware.
Scientists at UofL, along with colleagues from Boston University and the University of Massachusetts Lowell, have identified perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) as a potential environmental factor that worsens alcohol-associated liver disease.
Canada News
Managing PFAS contamination in water: Canada’s evolving approach
Canada’s regulatory response to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has undergone significant evolution over the last decade. The federal government initially targeted individual PFAS substances such as perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), which were listed as toxic under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA), and subjected to restrictions on manufacture, import, and use.
Global News
Despite increasing concerns over the potential hazards of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), their characteristics, especially temporal trends, remain largely unexplored in milk. With milk sampled from 2020 to 2024, the temporal trends and cross-country variations of legacy and emerging PFAS were investigated across 15 countries for the first time.
Australia has banned 3 ‘forever chemicals’ – but Europe wants to ban all 14,000 as a precaution
Last month, Australia’s ban on the import, use and manufacture of three types of “forever chemical” came into effect. These chemicals – PFOA, PFOS and PFHxS – have long lifespans and resist breaking down. They’re considered harmful due to their ability to build up inside living organisms and their toxicity. In 2023, the World Health Organization’s cancer agency declared PFOA to be a human carcinogen (cancer-causing agent), and PFOS a potential carcinogen.