Sampling by the Environmental Working Group finds detectable levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water across 31 states; report unsafe concentrations above 1 ppt for almost all sites; believe PFAS likely present in all major U.S. water supplies
January 21, 2020
Washington state webinars on PFAS alternatives assessment
U.S. state of Washington informs about ongoing assessment of alternatives to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food packaging; webinars in January and February focus on current project activities, extended scope and hazard and exposure assessment
January 14, 2020
Taco Bell to remove chemicals of concern from packaging
U.S. fast food chain announces new global packaging commitments; plans to remove PFAS, phthalates, BPA from its consumer packaging by 2025
January 9, 2020
California solicits comments on PFAS in food packaging
U.S. state’s Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) calls for comments on uses, alternatives, and life cycle impacts of PFAS in food packaging; comment period open until January 14, 2020, public workshop to be held on the same date
January 7, 2020
FDA publishes second set of PFAS testing results
U.S. Food and Drug Administration releases analytical testing results of 16 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances across 88 food samples, finds one sample of fish with detectable levels of PFOS
January 6, 2020
EU ministers recommend PFAS restrictions
European environmental ministers announce intention to draft PFAS restriction proposal, prohibit non-essential uses, create EU action plan; emphasize need to manage substances as a group
January 6, 2020
ECHA recognizes PFBS as substance of very high concern
European member states agree to recognize perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS) as a substance of very high concern (SVHC); cite equivalent concern to carcinogenic, mutagenic, reprotoxic substances, high mobility in environment
December 18, 2019
UBA report to inform PFAS restriction proposals
German Environment Agency (UBA) publishes final report summarizing information collection on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) including long-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) and set of short-chain PFAS; finds PFCA restriction justifiable, short-chain PFASs difficult to substitute and restrict
December 16, 2019
U.S. bill to restrict PFAS in military food packaging
National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) includes provisions to ban use of PFAS in packaging used in ready-to-eat meals by October 1, 2021
December 12, 2019
EEA publishes web briefing on PFAS
New European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing summarizes known and potential risks posed by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS); warns that assessing such a large number of substances is time consuming and may lead to widespread and irreversible pollution
