PFAS法规和诉讼的当前状态：您需要知道的
Webinar Recap
PFAS物质越来越多，对于联邦和州环境立法者而言，PFAS越来越多，而PFAS特定的法规正在不断发展。更立即，即使没有特定于PFA的法规，私人诉讼仍在继续增长，并且正在发生。Antea Group PFAS专家与Vorys，Sater，Seymour和Pease LLP的合伙人David Edelstein在最近的网络研讨会上介绍了PFA和诉讼环境的监管状况。
If you missed the webinar, you can still watch it on-demand!
我们为什么要关心？
You’ve likely heard about PFAS from news, books, documentaries, and even movies. You may have heard PFAS referred to as “forever chemicals” due to the fact that these chemicals are difficult to break down, treat and some have half-lives in the decades!
化学药品的长寿与它们在空气和水中高度流动的事实的结合，这意味着我们都定期接触PFA。在进行研究的同时，过去的研究将PFA与某些动物和人类健康效应联系起来。这些健康影响是PFA受到如此广泛关注的主要原因之一。
一些健康影响包括：
- 心血管疾病
- 肝功能改变
- Chronic kidney disease
- Difficulty becoming pregnant
- 骨关节炎
此外，PFOA被归类为前列腺，睾丸，膀胱，肝或肾癌的“可能的致癌”。（美国EPA 2017）（美国EPA 2018）。为了更深入地了解什么是PFA及其风险和好处，查看这个最近的博客。
知道潜在的健康影响及其广泛使用，很明显，为什么PFA周围的对话变得如此巨大，以及为什么法规和诉讼正在加热。
监管状态更新
As PFAS regulations continue to evolve, it’s important to keep an eye on new and updated regulations. Below are a few rules and regulations to keep an eye on in the coming months.
2021年PFAS ACTION法案
该法案于2021年7月22日在众议院通过，目前正在等待参议院和总统批准，然后成为法律。美国参议院环境与公共工程委员会（EWP）举行了2021年10月20日听证会to evaluate this act and the Federal responses to PFAS on the environment.
该法案包括18条拟议的规则，包括根据CERCLA下的CERCLA危害废物名称，根据《安全饮用水法》制定最高污染物水平（MCL）标准，根据《清洁空气法》规定的危险污染物指定，根据联邦水污染控制法的废水释放允许，根据《有毒物质控制法》和许多其他美国EPA规则的其他报告。
Federal Water Pollution Control Act
该法案提议要求制造商或用户在出院前向水处理工作披露PFA的排放。
草稿方法1633
This draft analytical method was published by the EPA in September of 2021 and will be key to passing and implementing several of the proposed Federal and state PFAS regulations.
它包括通过LC-MS/MS在水，固体，生物固体和组织样品中对PFA的分析。该方法在八种环境介质中测试了40种PFAS物质：废水，地表水，沉积物，地下水，渗滤液，土壤，生物固体和鱼组织。
PFA的追溯报告规则
Under this Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) rule, articles required for reporting include products and all articles containing PFAS. Reporting applies to companies that used or incorporated PFAS in articles, manufacturing or imported products or components that included PFAS since January 1, 2011, a 10 year look back
Food and Drug Administration
In July 2021, the FDA announced voluntary agreement to phase out short-chain PFAS. The agreement is for a three-year phase-out and includes the following:
- 6：2荧光素体酒精（6：2 FTOH）
- 6:2 FTOH is now in 15 food packaging products supplied to the U.S.
除了围绕PFA的规则和法规的变化外，企业还应关注诉讼趋势的变化。
Litigation Update
In the past, PFAS-related litigation primarily focused on private party personal injury litigation against major PFAS manufacturers. In the past, manufacturers have also been sued by investors for failures to disclose PFAS liability. As regulations around PFAS continue to grow, we will likely see an increase in these types of lawsuits.
展望未来，根据一项主要环境法规，PFAS诉讼可能会通过监管执法进一步扩展。这包括公民诉讼，排放限制，饮用水标准和补救措施。
When it comes to litigation and dealing with PFAS issues, there are a few key notes to keep in mind. In dealing with public affairs, remember, protections are NOT retroactive – once it’s out, you can’t put it back in. It is crucial to keep internal communications, drafts, and other documents just that, internal.
With the EPA adding additional PFAS to TRI list in the future, consider proactive audits to “get ahead” and protect those communications. Remember, the EPA publishes all TRI data after it is collected.
So, What Now?
The conversations around PFAS won’t be going away soon, and we can expect to see trends around litigation and regulations continue to grow. That being said, the biggest takeaway is to be proactive. Start by understanding where your company stands with PFAS and know your risks. Utilize a desktop screening tool to evaluate your existing and potential risks. From there, you can begin to prepare for new regulatory drivers and litigation framework.
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