Court Upholds EPA’s Designation of PFOA and PFOS as Hazardous

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit on August 18 upheld the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s designation of PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), commonly known as Superfund.

“NGWA applauds the court’s decision upholding the designation of PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances under CERCLA,” said NGWA CEO Terry S. Morse, CAE, CIC. “Groundwater supplies across the country are still being impacted by PFAS contamination, and addressing these contaminants is critical to protecting public health and our nation’s groundwater resources.

“We’ve been working to educate the public and leaders on the importance of addressing PFAS for more than a decade, and we will continue to push efforts that advance effective, science-based remediation and protect groundwater resources.”

NGWA continues to advocate for:

• Supporting a bipartisan solution that creates a maximum contaminant level—or MCL—for PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctanesulfonic acid) based on the best available science
• Dedicating financial and technical resources to private well owners for testing and remediating PFAS
• Properly funding PFAS programs and solutions to ensure our groundwater is safe and reliable
• Advanced guidance from the EPA on the treatment and disposal of PFAS.

Click here to read more about PFAS from NGWA.