By facilitating a process called hydrodefluorination, hydrogen-based catalytic membrane technology achieved removal efficiencies ranging from 93–99 percent for six “forever chemicals” of regulatory concern (PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, PFBS, and GenX chemicals), with an overall defluorination efficiency of 83 percent.
Although EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said the new strategy exemplifies how “the Trump EPA is laser-focused on Making America Healthy Again [MAHA],” the announcement comes as the agency continues to receive criticisms for the Administration’s history of decisions to back off PFAS regulation.
Researchers found that EPA’s interpretation of drinking water contaminant monitoring data, in which PFAS measurements that fall below laboratory reporting limits are treated as “zero,” could underestimate “forever chemical” occurrence by as much as 56 percent.
AB 1603 requires the California Department of Pesticide Regulation to indicate when pesticides contain PFAS ingredients in its online database and include use trends in annual reports.
A memo from EPA leadership to its Regional Water Division directors withdraws guidance that encouraged states and wastewater utilities to use existing Clean Water Act authorities to prevent “forever chemicals” from entering waterways and drinking water systems.
University of California, Riverside researchers have identified key chemical reactions that occur when UV light is used to break down PFAS “forever chemicals” in water, which could inform the development and optimization of PFAS treatment technologies, or even more degradable fluorinated compounds.
Mycotoxins, PAHs, and other contaminants were also detected. The researchers concluded that plant-based protein supplements may contain chemical contaminants from environmental exposure, agricultural practices, and processing. They called for systematic monitoring, improved controls, and optimization of processing conditions.
The review also identifies six health effect categories for further evaluation as part of efforts to support the development of health-based values for the “forever chemicals.”
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) lowered the acceptable daily intake for trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) to a quarter of the previously established level, and also set an acute reference dose for the chemical for the first time.
