PFOS and PFOA are the most well-studied, toxic, and likely prolific ‘forever chemicals”
Production of them is already banned in the US — but as hazardous substances, they would be under even stricter standards.
David Kline is with the Superfund Section at the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. He says hazardous substances receive more federal oversight on how they’re used, disposed, and cleaned up.
“That probably should have been done a long time ago. But it's great news that it's happening now. The bonus there is that EPA will be able to use their enforcement authorities to compel parties to address PFAS.”
If the designation is enacted, Kline says some PFAS sites in Michigan may be good candidates for the EPA’s “National Priorities List.”
The proposed designation still needs to go through a comment period before it can be enacted.
