On July 20, 2022, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a request for information “on the use of fluorinated polyethylene for food contact applications. Specifically, FDA is seeking scientific data and information on current food contact uses of fluorinated polyethylene, consumer dietary exposure that may result from those uses, and safety of certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances [PFAS] that may migrate from fluorinated polyethylene food containers.” The comment period will run until October 18, 2022.
The week before, the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) also published a request for information concerning PFAS. The OSTP is interested in answering specific questions concerning the persistence, effects, and destruction of PFAS as part of developing a strategic action plan. Questions include:
- Should the US government consider identifying priority PFAS when developing a strategic plan for PFAS research and development?
- What are the scientific, technological, and human challenges that must be addressed to understand and to significantly reduce the environmental and human impacts of PFAS?
- Are there specific chemistries and/or intended uses that PFAS provide for which there are no known alternatives at this time?
- What should be the priorities in research and development for accelerating progress, improving efficiency, and reducing the cost of analytical methods, detection limits, and non-targeted detection?
- What studies would yield the most useful information and address the current gaps in understanding PFAS health effects in humans (e.g., in vitro, animal toxicological, and epidemiological studies)? Which health effects should be prioritized? What additional impacts beyond health should be prioritized?
- What goals, priorities, and performance metrics would be valuable in measuring the success of national, federally funded PFAS research and development initiatives relating to: a) The removal of PFAS from the environment; b) Safely destroying or degrading PFAS; and c) Developing safer and more environmentally friendly alternatives to PFAS? d) Mitigating negative human effects of PFAS, whether related to health or additional domains?
The OSTP is accepting responses until August 29, 2022.
On June 22, 2022 the EPA also added 172 PFAS to the list of chemicals reportable under the toxic release inventory (TRI) program. Only eight had been included in the program previously. According to EPA, “TRI tracks the management of certain toxic chemicals that may pose a threat to human health and the environment. U.S. facilities in different industry sectors must report annually how much of each chemical is released to the environment and/or managed through recycling, energy recovery and treatment.”
References
US FDA. (July 20, 2022) “Fluorinated polyethylene containers for food contact use; Request for information.” Federal Register
US EPA OSTP. (July 13, 2022). “Request for information; Identifying critical data gaps and needs to inform federal strategic plan for PFAS research and development.” Federal Register
Joseph J. Green (June 22, 2022). “EPA officially adds PFAS chemicals to TRI reporting program.” Kelly Green Law
Read more
Nyah Phengsitthy (July 19, 2022). “FDA seeks information on potential PFAS-contaminated containers.” Bloomberg Law
