Perspectives on a Class Approach to PFAS

Note: This webinar was presented for informational purposes. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of each of the NEWMOA-member states and should not be considered an endorsement by NEWMOA or its members.

The webinar included the following presentations:

Dr. David Andrews, Environmental Working Group (EWG) [PDF] presented A Case for Managing PFAS as a Chemical Class to Protect Public Health. PFAS occur in complex mixtures within products, the environment, and people and yet the current regulatory approach focuses on a single chemical at a time. The full extent of PFAS contamination around the country has been hindered by limited public information available on just a small subset of these chemicals. The presentation discussed the public health perspective and a recent co-authored publication in ES&T Letters, “Scientific Basis for Managing PFAS as a Chemical Class”.

Dr. Simona Balan, California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) [PDF] presented Regulating PFAS as a Chemical Class Under the California Safer Consumer Products Program. California DTSC, which runs the state’s innovative Safer Consumer Products program, has been researching and engaging with stakeholders regarding PFAS in consumer products since early 2016. Rather than focusing on individual PFAS, DTSC has taken a chemical class approach, which can help promote the development of safer alternatives and avoid further regrettable substitutions. The presentation explained California’s Safer Consumer Products regulatory framework and the rationale behind DTSC’s decision to regulate certain consumer products containing any member of the PFAS class.