Category: PFAS

Links to detailed information on PFAS

News Release – State proposes restrictions on toxic “forever chemicals” in common consumer products

June 4, 2025
Dept. of Ecology

Department of Ecology seeks public comment on restrictions and reporting requirements for PFAS in 12 product categories 
Ecology logo

Link to announcement

OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Ecology is proposing a rule to restrict the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances – better known as PFAS – in common consumer products including clothing, cleaning products and car wash soap. The rule would also require manufacturers to report if they use PFAS in nine other product categories.  

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PFAS Explained

Environmental Protection Agency
Updated October 3, 2024

EPA is committed to providing meaningful, understandable, and actionable information on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances – known as PFAS – to the American public. The information provided here is intended to explain some of the important background information needed to understand the details of specific actions EPA takes to address PFAS, and other emerging events related to PFAS.

What EPA Has Learned So Far
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King County detects PFAS in wastewater, fertilizer program

May 3, 2025
By Conrad Swanson
Seattle Times climate reporter

  • 1 of 2 | Wastewater is treated at King County’s South Treatment Plant in Renton in January. The plant was one of three in the county that tested for “forever chemicals.” (Ellen M. Banner / The Seattle Times)
  • 2 of 2 | After waste is treated and much of the water is removed, the solid material is collected for further processing at King County’s South Treatment Plant. The material can be turned into fertilizer for the state’s… (Ellen M. Banner / The Seattle Times)

Link to Seattle Times article

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The truth about American drinking water: Report shows widespread presence of hazardous chemicals

February 25, 2025
Beth Greenfield

Link to full Fortune article:
https://fortune.com/well/2025/02/26/drinking-water-hazardous-chemicals

Your tap water might not be safe to drink, according to new data. – Getty Images

Between the ongoing controversy around fluoridated water and the recent discovery of a chemical in our water systems that may or may not be toxic, the safety of American drinking water is murky, to say the least.

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The E.P.A. Promotes Toxic Fertilizer. 3M Told It of Risks Years Ago.

The agency obtained research from 3M in 2003 revealing that sewage sludge, the raw material for the fertilizer, carried toxic “forever chemicals.”

The author reviewed thousands of pages of decades-old documents to report this article.

By Hiroko Tabuchi
Dec. 27, 2024

David Lewis, a former E.P.A. microbiologist, issued early warnings.Credit...Will Crooks for The New York Times
David Lewis, a former E.P.A. microbiologist, issued early warnings.Credit…Will Crooks for The New York Times

In early 2000, scientists at 3M, the chemicals giant, made a startling discovery: High levels of PFAS, the virtually indestructible “forever chemicals” used in nonstick pans, stain-resistant carpets and many other products were turning up in the nation’s sewage.

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From tires to nail polish, we’re studying a new round of consumer products with toxic chemicals

Draft report open for formal public comment

by Cathy Hamilton-Wissmer
November 1, 2024

In May 2024, our Safer Products for Washington team identified a new set of toxic chemicals in everyday consumer products. That’s important because it gives us an opportunity to reduce exposure to toxic chemicals and prevent their release into the environment. We want your feedback on the products we’ve identified as significant sources of these toxic chemicals. 

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PFAS and Aquatic Life

As part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s commitment to safeguard the environment from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), the agency uses its Clean Water Act authorities to develop recommended water quality criteria and informational benchmarks to help states and authorized Tribes protect aquatic ecosystems from several PFAS.

Environmental Protection Agency
October 1, 2024

These common chemicals could affect your health all over your body, expert says

CNN — 
There are chemicals in cookware, food, water, clothes and furniture that could cause problems for people’s health.

These PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances — sometimes called “forever chemicals” because they don’t fully break down in the environment — have been used in consumer products since the 1950s.

By Madeline Holcombe, CNN
Mon September 9, 2024

Link to article and video:

https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/09/health/pfas-explainer-wellness/index.html?cid=ios_app

Lawyers to Plastics Makers: Prepare for ‘Astronomical’ PFAS Lawsuits

At an industry presentation about dangerous “forever chemicals,” lawyers predicted a wave of lawsuits that could dwarf asbestos litigation, audio from the event revealed.

Hiroko Tabuchi

By Hiroko Tabuchi

May 28, 2024

Link to NY Times article

Industrial buildings, several with steam or smoke rising from them, line a riverbank.

A 3M plant on the Mississippi River. The company has faced legal action over manufacturing the chemicals.Credit…E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune, via Getty Images

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Final PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation

Environmental Protection Agency
May 22, 2024

Summary

On April 10, 2024, EPA announced the final National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for six PFAS. To inform the final rule, EPA evaluated over 120,000 comments submitted by the public on the rule proposal, as well as considered input received during multiple consultations and stakeholder engagement activities held both prior to and following the proposed rule. EPA expects that over many years the final rule will prevent PFAS exposure in drinking water for approximately 100 million people, prevent thousands of deaths, and reduce tens of thousands of serious PFAS-attributable illnesses.

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