On behalf of SGS, we hope that you are enjoying the cooler fall temperatures and will be able to take some time to relax during the upcoming holidays. We appreciate you taking the time to read and hopefully learn something new with another edition of the SGS PFAS newsletter.
We were proud to be recently featured in a study on the presence of PFAS in sea otters in British Columbia, and while it may not be PFAS, we have an exciting webinar on microplastics in the coming week. Read on to learn about these topics and more.
SGS Updates:
Don’t miss our upcoming webinar: Microplastics under the Microscope
From drinking water and stormwater to consumer products and tire wear particles, these tiny pollutants are under intense scrutiny.
Discover the latest methods of microplastics detection, evolving regulations, and innovative solutions shaping the future of microplastics analysis with SGS experts Bharat Chandramouli and Lloyd Kaufman.
Date: Dec 4th
Time: 1:00 PM EST
Register Now: Microplastics Under the Microscope
Stay tuned! Click on SGS PFAS analysis, and see why SGS delivers what you need every step of way.
US Policy News
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a proposal to improve the scope of its perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) reporting regulations under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to make them more practical and implementable and reduce unnecessary, or potentially duplicative, reporting requirements for businesses while maintaining the ability to obtain important use and safety information on PFAS.
US News by State
National
Capito urges clear PFAS cleanup policy to unclog infrastructure projects
Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, recently highlighted the critical need for a comprehensive federal policy on PFAS cleanup and disposal, which is a cleanup of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances or “forever chemicals”. During a pivotal hearing, Chairman Capito underscored how the current lack of clear guidelines is severely hindering billions of dollars in vital infrastructure projects across the nation.
Trump EPA Approves Its First ‘Forever Chemical’ Pesticide
The Environmental Protection Agency today approved the highly persistent pesticide cyclobutrifluram for golf courses, lawns, cotton, soybeans and lettuce. This pesticide is a “forever chemical” — one of a group called PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
Ruiz, Greenstein Bill Banning Harmful PFAS in Menstrual Products Advances
Today, the Senate Commerce Committee advanced a bill sponsored by Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz and Senator Linda Greenstein that would ban the use of regulated perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, substances from menstrual products.
California
California farmland doused with 2.5 million pounds of PFAS pesticides each year, analysis finds
Farm fields in California, the largest US agricultural state, are sprayed each year with an average of 2.5 million pounds of pesticides containing toxic PFAS, potentially exposing millions of people to the chemicals through contaminated food, soil and drinking water, according to a new analysis of state regulatory data.
California State Water Resources Control Board issues new and revised PFAS advisory levels
On October 29, 2025, the California State Water Resources Control Board’s Division of Drinking Water (State Water Board) issued new and revised notification levels and/or response levels for four per- and poly– fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS):
- Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
- Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS)
- Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS)
- Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA)
Kansas
Kansas water systems to test for PFAS
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment said Wednesday that select water systems will begin testing for PFAS.
Georgia
Georgia to include forever chemicals in state drinking water regulations
Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) proposed a draft update to its Rules for Safe Drinking Water that includes two types of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) into its regulation of drinking water contaminants.
New Jersey
Middlesex Water Co. and 3M Agree to $4.9M Settlement for PFAS Water Contamination
Middlesex Water Co. and 3M struck a deal. They’ll pay $4.9 million to roughly 60,000 customers whose tap water carried PFAS contaminants. The class-action suit, launched almost four years back, accused the companies of letting residents drink water tainted with PFOA at levels that broke state rules.
In October 2021, the problem came to light. The water company mailed warnings to residents after tests showed PFOA concentrations hit 36.1 parts per trillion — more than double New Jersey’s ceiling of 14 parts per trillion.
New Mexico
New Mexico Environment Dept. to install water filters to clean out forever chemicals
As environmental leaders find more PFAS contamination across New Mexico, the race is on to get hundreds of people living in the midst of that contamination clean water. PFAS are known to cause health issues, and extensive contamination has been found in areas near Clovis, Alamogordo, and Santa Fe, where the state is moving forward with free water filtration efforts.
North Carolina
Two new studies find PFAS in sea foam and Wilmington residents’ blood
Two recent studies show the pervasiveness of toxic chemicals known as PFAS. One study found high levels of PFAS in sea foam at several beaches along North Carolina’s coast.
Pennsylvania
PA American Water to issue over $18M in bill credits to customers from ‘forever chemical’ settlement
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission has approved a proposal by Pennsylvania-American Water Company to issue over $18 million in bill credits to nearly 690,000 customers across the state.
The decision, made unanimously by a 5-0 vote, allows PAWC to distribute one-time bill credits of approximately $26 per customer. This refund is a result of legal settlements PAWC received from manufacturers of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as “forever chemicals.”
Wisconsin
Experts: Cleanup of PFAS could cost Wisconsin billions
Wisconsin environmental regulators and Republican lawmakers don’t agree on much when it comes to addressing PFAS contamination, but both acknowledge it will likely cost the state billions of dollars.
Washington
On November 20th, 2025, Washington State Department of Ecology adopted amendments to Safer Products Restrictions and Reporting (Chapter 173-337 WAC). The amendments restrict per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in apparel and accessories, automotive washes, and cleaning products. The rule also requires reporting on nine other product categories.
Canada News
Toxic ‘forever chemicals’ are in B.C. sea otters, new study finds
Sea otters living along B.C.’s South coast and Vancouver Island have high levels of toxic “forever chemicals” present in their bodies, a new study finds. University of British Columbia master’s candidate Dana Price led the study, published this week in the journal Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. And while it is not believed any of the otters in her study had died because of PFAS, the fact the chemicals were present in every one of the collected samples is concerning to the long-term health of marine ecosystems, she said. However, she noted the levels in B.C. sea otters is lower than in some of their American counterparts, which she speculates is due to a combination of Canadian regulations and relatively lower human populations where the otters live.
Global News
PFAS inquiry hands down 47 recommendations to better regulate ‘forever chemicals’ in Australia
A federal inquiry into the extent, regulation and management of PFAS in Australia has handed down its final report, which includes 47 recommendations.
The report recommends establishing a national PFAS watchdog and standardised guidelines for drinking water across all states and territories.