PFAS CERCLA Update and PFAS Treatment

May 23, 2023

As you may recall, in September 2022, EPA issued a proposed rule to designate two per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) — perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), and their salts and structural isomers — as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), also known as “Superfund.”  EPA is currently reviewing comments received on this proposed rule.

On April 13, 2023, EPA issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) asking the public for input regarding potential future hazardous substance designations of additional PFAS substances under CERCLA.  The ANPRM includes:

• Seven PFAS, besides PFOA and PFOS, and their salts and structural isomers, or some subset thereof, which include:
• Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS), CASRN 375–73–5
• Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), CASRN 355–46–4
• Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), CASRN 375–95–1
• Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO–DA), CASRN 13252–13– 6 (sometimes called GenX)
• Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) CASRN 375–22–4
• Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) CASRN 307–24–4
• Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) CASRN 335–76–2;
• Precursors to PFOA, PFOS, and other PFAS listed above; and
• Categories of PFAS – e.g., sets of PFAS that share similar characteristics.

The ANPRM announcement in the Federal Register is available at:  https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2023-04-13/pdf/2023-07535.pdf

More solutions and information at Liquids Management.

SCS has recorded a session on current treatment technologies proven to work in the field and newer technologies that look promising to either remove or destroy PFAS. Watch the PFAS Treatment Video.