PFAS contamination drives global legal, regulatory, and research responses

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often called ‘forever chemicals’, continue to drive significant legal, environmental, and regulatory developments globally. In the United States, the EPA has awarded $15 million in research grants to study PFAS movement through crops and livestock, with institutions like Michigan State University and the University of Illinois-Urbana participating.

Legal and corporate challenges persist as the insurance industry faces potential losses approaching $100 billion, similar to asbestos litigation. Major chemical companies like 3M and DuPont have already paid over $11.5 billion in settlements. Meanwhile, a federal court recently enjoined a New Mexico law that would have required specific labeling for products containing intentionally added PFAS, citing difficulties in reconciling the state’s public health objectives with the legal requirement for factual, noncontroversial disclosures.

Environmental concerns remain acute, with the Navy facing criticism from Senator Charles Schumer over slow remediation timelines for PFAS-contaminated groundwater in New York. In Jersey, campaigners have expressed disappointment over the removal of public health risk language from a decision regarding biosolids application. Additionally, new research from Sun Yat-sen University suggests that trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), a common PFAS, may impair blood vessel development by interfering with cellular energy production. To address rising compliance needs, Intertek has launched the ‘Green Leaf Mark Zero PFAS’ to provide independent verification for manufacturers.