“Forever Chemicals” in Groundwater
Presented to Evergreen Rural Water of Washington’s Annual Conference, Feb 15, 2023. Continue reading “Forever Chemicals” in Groundwater
Category: Resources
‘I don’t want to live like this anymore’: East Selah families still fighting for access to clean water amid PFAS well contamination
EAST SELAH, Wash. — East Selah resident Brandi Hyatt has been unable to use the water in her home near the Yakima Training Center for a year due to high levels of a group of dangerous “forever chemicals” called PFAS, found in their wells.
Her family has been living off of bottled water for cooking, drinking, brushing teeth and washing hands and has been showering at the local YMCA, concerned about the toxic effects of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances on human health.
“It’s stressful. It’s less than ideal,” Hyatt said. “I don’t want to live like this anymore.” Continue reading ‘I don’t want to live like this anymore’: East Selah families still fighting for access to clean water amid PFAS well contamination
Local and state officials hear from Selah residents affected by drinking water contamination
Selah residents affected by the groundwater contamination near the Yakima Training Center spent Thursday night speaking with local and state health and environmental officials about their concerns over the U.S. Army’s handling of cleanup efforts. Continue reading Local and state officials hear from Selah residents affected by drinking water contamination
EPA Takes Key Step to Stop Unsafe PFAS from Reentering Commerce
Proposed rule would prevent companies from starting or resuming the manufacture, processing or use of an estimated 300 substances. EPA Takes Key Step to Stop Unsafe PFAS from Reentering Commerce | NRWA WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency … Continue reading EPA Takes Key Step to Stop Unsafe PFAS from Reentering Commerce
DRAFT Guidance for Investigating and
Remediating PFAS Contamination in
Washington State
You’re invited to review and comment on our draft cleanup guidance for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance contamination and cleanup.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances are collectively known as PFAS. This group comprises thousands of unique synthetic organic chemicals that are extremely stable and persistent. Continue reading DRAFT Guidance for Investigating and
Remediating PFAS Contamination in
Washington State
Focus on: PFAS Cleanup Levels
Focus on: PFAS cleanup levels (wa.gov) This focus sheet provides the Washington StateDepartment of Ecology’s (Ecology’s) recommendedsoil and groundwater cleanup levels for part of agroup of harmful compounds known as per- andpolyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. Continue reading Focus on: PFAS Cleanup Levels
U.S. military takes important step towards PFAS-free firefighting foams
New rule comes after years of PFAS contamination of water supplies for millions of Americans
Health advocates praise this move while calling for transparency and requirements for the safety of new foams
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) released a revised military specification (“mil spec”) for the purchase and use of firefighting foam free of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). Revisions to the mil spec were required by the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The new rule comes after years of PFAS contamination of water supplies for millions of Americans.
This new specification also impacts airports. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was directed by Congress to allow airports to use fluorine-free foams by October 2021 and issued a new alert today. Continue reading U.S. military takes important step towards PFAS-free firefighting foams
Locally caught freshwater fish across the United States are likely a significant source of exposure to PFOS and other perfluorinated compounds
Locally caught freshwater fish across the United States are likely a significant source of exposure to PFOS and other perfluorinated compounds – ScienceDirect Abstract Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, gained significant public and regulatory attention due to widespread contamination … Continue reading Locally caught freshwater fish across the United States are likely a significant source of exposure to PFOS and other perfluorinated compounds
EPA Adds Nine Additional PFAS to Toxics Release Inventory List
EPA Adds Nine Additional PFAS to Toxics Release Inventory List | NRWA WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the automatic addition of nine per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) list. … Continue reading EPA Adds Nine Additional PFAS to Toxics Release Inventory List
EPA Releases New PFAS Analytic Tools
EPA Releases New PFAS Analytic Tools | NRWA Interactive webpage provides information on PFAS sources across the U.S. Jan 5, 2023 WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a new interactive webpage, called the “PFAS Analytic … Continue reading EPA Releases New PFAS Analytic Tools
2023 PFAS Cost Recovery Update
2023 PFAS Cost Recovery Update | NRWA More information on a PFAS lawsuit Continue reading 2023 PFAS Cost Recovery Update
Investors pressure top firms to halt production of toxic ‘forever chemicals’
Investors from some of the world’s largest firms are pressuring chemical companies to end production of toxic PFAS “forever chemicals”, which shareholders say represent an enormous and growing threat to manufacturers’ bottom lines. Continue reading Investors pressure top firms to halt production of toxic ‘forever chemicals’
Public Health Assessment Training
The Public Health Assessment Training (PHAT) provides with the basics to conduct the public health assessment or PHA. The PHA is the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)’s method to evaluate community exposures to hazardous substances from hazardous waste sites. Continue reading Public Health Assessment Training
PFAS One Water Risk Communication Messaging for Water Sector Professionals
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are of increasing concern to the water sector and the public. It is critical that water systems continue to be the trusted sources of information for their customers, especially regarding emerging contaminants such as PFAS. Therefore, water utilities must proactively reach out to customers; be prepared to respond to questions; and communicate clearly about all aspects of PFAS. This project provides communications materials water systems can use as they interact with customers, regulators, and other stakeholders. The materials are provided in two toolkits: one for One Water messaging and one for messaging specific to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. Research partner: American Water Works Association. Published in 2022. Continue reading PFAS One Water Risk Communication Messaging for Water Sector Professionals