PFAS and Emerging Contaminants Newsletter
April was an active month for the USEPA and the rest of the federal government with numerous updates on PFAS and emerging contaminants, beginning with the latest release of the Contaminant Candidate List (CCL) which informs the next cycle of the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR). This latest CCL included microplastics, pharmaceuticals, PFAS, and disinfection byproducts, to name a few. Also, we saw updated guidance to the PFAS destruction and disposal guidance and a Health and Human Services initiative to research microplastics in food, air, and other exposure pathways.
The SGS PFAS and Specialty team was quite busy as well with spring conference season in full swing. We presented across the U.S. and Canada on extending PFAS analyte lists beyond 1633A, non-targeted analysis, microplastics, 6-PPD quinone in sediments, and hydrocarbon forensics to name a few topics. If any of these presentations are of interest, please contact us and we’d be happy to share the presentations or schedule an in-person or virtual lunch and learn.
US Policy News
EPA’s Draft Sixth Contaminant Candidate List Has Been Released for Public Comment
At the heart of today’s announcement is EPA’s draft Sixth Contaminant Candidate List (CCL 6), which the agency is releasing for public comment, and is a critical tool under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) that drives research, funding, and future decisions on regulating emerging threats in public water systems.
The draft CCL 6 includes four contaminant groups—microplastics, pharmaceuticals, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and disinfection byproducts—as well as 75 chemicals and nine microbes that may be found in drinking water.
EPA Updates PFAS Destruction and Disposal Guidance
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is providing updated guidance for the destruction and disposal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The updated interim guidance reflects the most recent data available and is designed to give states, utilities, waste handlers, and local communities the information they need to manage these chemicals safely and protect human health.
EPA Launches PFAS OUT Initiative to Help Proactively Address PFAS in Drinking Water
PFAS OUT is a proactive outreach initiative to provide information on resources, including funding and technical assistance, to drinking water systems with PFAS challenges. This outreach will provide practical, interactive location-specific resources, including webinars and information, on how to access funding and technical assistance to address PFAS.
EPA aims to directly engage about 3,000 drinking water systems nationwide that have known challenges with PFOA and PFOS, ensuring they are aware of the support available to them (approximately 2% of water systems).
US News by State
National
Update on Reporting Deadline for TSCA PFAS Reporting Rule
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finalizing the start of the reporting period for a perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) reporting rule under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) section 8(a)(7). This action moves the start of the reporting period from April 13, 2026, to 60 days following the effective date of the agency’s forthcoming revision to the PFAS 8(a)(7) rule.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is advancing its review of four chemicals under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)—1,3,4,6,7,8-Hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethylcyclopenta [g]-2-benzopyran (HHCB), phthalic anhydride, o-dichlorobenzene (oDCB) and p-dichlorobenzene (pDCB)—by releasing draft documents related to the review of these chemicals and convening a peer review meeting of the Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC). These chemicals are found in fragrances, paints, coatings, cleaners, and industrial processes, meaning decisions in these cases can directly affect the air we breathe at work and at home.
US invests US$144M to measure microplastics health risks and remove them from body
A US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) agency has launched a nationwide US$144 million microplastics research program. It aims to create a toolbox for measuring, researching, and affordably removing microplastics and nanoplastics from the human body.
The STOMP program (Systematic Targeting Of MicroPlastics) from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) will uncover how microplastics from food, air, and water build up in the body and protect people from their potential health impact.
California
California proposes sweeping ban on ‘forever chemicals’ in pesticides
California moves closer to joining Maine and Minnesota in banning PFAS chemicals—so-called “forever chemicals”—from all pesticides used in the state. Newly proposed legislation would phase out their use by 2035.
Ohio
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Director John Logue on Monday released information about how $65 million from a 2023 environmental settlement with DuPont will be used to address PFAS contamination in drinking water systems along the Ohio River. Washington County is receiving some of the largest awards.
Maine
Maine is tightening limits on ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water
As federal funds lapse and state grants expire, dozens of Maine schools, mobile home parks and homeowners could be left to pay for filtration alone. Nearly four dozen water systems that provide drinking water across Maine would be at risk of violating new limits on “forever chemicals” if the state began enforcing updated rules on the toxic substances today, showing how much work they have left to do to meet new requirements.
New Mexico
NM approves PFAS labeling requirements for consumer products
New Mexico will require manufacturers to label consumer products containing certain harmful chemicals, giving shoppers new information about items they use every day. The state’s Environmental Improvement Board approved rules on March 23 requiring manufacturers to label products containing intentionally added PFAS
New Jersey
New Jersey enacts the Protecting Against Forever Chemicals Act, taking on PFAS in consumer products
New Jersey is set to ban intentionally added per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in cosmetics, carpets, fabric treatments, and food packaging, and require labels for cookware with PFAS starting in 2028 as part of the recently enacted “Protecting Against Forever Chemicals Act” (Act). Unlike states such as California, Minnesota, Washington, Connecticut, New Mexico, and Colorado, the Act does not include registration or reporting requirements for products containing intentionally added PFAS. In contrast with other states, New Jersey also has not conditioned its restrictions on the availability of viable alternatives, and the Act does not establish a framework to exempt currently unavoidable uses of PFAS. Both the sales ban and cookware-specific labeling requirements will come into effect January 2028.
Minnesota
New fish consumption guidelines aim to limit exposure to mercury and PFAS
After analyzing data showing the presence of mercury and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the tissue of some fish from certain Minnesota waterbodies, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has updated its fish consumption guidelines. The updates include new length-based guidelines for walleye and northern pike, more protective guidelines for Northeast Minnesota and new guidelines for the Vermillion River in Dakota and Scott counties.
Wisconsin
Gov. Tony Evers signs legislation to address PFAS contaminations
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will now have the authority to launch grant programs, hire staff and help communities remediate “forever chemical” contamination after years of disagreements between lawmakers and the governor over how a trust fund could be spent.
Global
UB study finds ‘forever chemicals’ in Patagonia with help from penguin researchers
A new University at Buffalo study has found ‘forever chemicals’ in the waters of Patagonia, and a troop of feathery researchers provided a boat-load of help. The study, funded by the Houston Zoo, was looking into the levels of chemicals in the waters of Argentina.
Microplastics are already present in marine worms and in sediments of Colombia’s two seas
A recent investigation has just found that several species of marine worms and in the sediments of the waters of the Colombian Caribbean and Pacific contain microplastic particles.