Performance Chemistries Weekly Roundup – 4.15.21

1,4-Dioxane:

• In an article on an ongoing legal matter pertaining to the alleged discharge of 1,4-dioxane in Greensboro, NC, Law 360 reported on the Haw River Assembly’s claims that the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission and Department of Environmental Quality entered into an “illegal” special agreement with Greensboro last month that allowed the discharge of 1,4 dioxane “at more than 100 times” the level outlined by state regulations.

Phthalates:

• According to Bloomberg Law, the European Chemicals Agency recently proposed the phaseout of dicyclohexyl phthalate, in addition to three silicone substances (D4, D5, and D6) and disodium octaborate; terphenyl, hydrogenated; and trimellitic anhydride. If adopted by the European Commission, phaseouts would take effect 18 months after the commission’s decision.

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS):

• On Tuesday, April 13, Michigan Representatives Debbie Dingell (D) and Fred Upton (R) introduced the PFAS Action Act, a bipartisan effort cosponsored by 25 other members of Congress, according to a press release. Rep. Dingell noted that the bill is “largely identical” to a January 2020 version, which was passed by the House of Representatives. Among other actions identified by Rep. Dingell, the bill would require the EPA to establish a national drinking water standard for PFOA and PFOS, designate both chemicals as hazardous substances and air pollutants, require discharge limits on industrial releases of PFAS, and place a moratorium on the introduction of new PFAS into commerce.
• According to Bloomberg Law, state regulatory agencies have requested that the EPA adopt a single agency-wide definition for PFAS. Officials within the EPA’s pesticides office noted that, while the agency has a “master list” of more than 9,200 chemicals within the PFAS family, this list is designed for research and development and that it provides “no precisely clear definition of what constitutes a PFAS substance.”

The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation extended the deadline for public comments on its proposed reclassification of groundwater as being unfit for drinking purposes. The deadline to submit comments will be May 28 and another virtual public meeting will take place but has not yet been scheduled, according to reporting from the Bennington Banner.