Illinois Pollution Control Board Moves Forward with PFAS Groundwater Quality Standards
On March 7, 2024, the Illinois Pollution Control Board (Board) moved the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s (Agency) proposed amendments to the groundwater quality standards (35 Ill. Adm. Code 620) to First Notice. The proposal, PCB R 22-18, establishes, among other standards, groundwater quality standards for six per- and polyfluororalkyl substances (PFAS). The Board is moving […]
New U.S. EPA PFAS Air Testing Method Shows Progress Toward Emissions Standards
Introduction In mid-January 2024, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA or Agency) published a new method to assist in measuring substances such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in air emissions. The new method is known as “Other Test Method 50” or “OTM-50.” While the Agency did not officially publish the draft method, […]
WOTUS and PM NAAQS and PFAS, Oh My! Environmental Highlights in First Quarter 2023
Instead of the Land of Oz, we are in the land of acronyms. WOTUS, PM, NAAQS, PFAS —and more—are common acronyms used in environmental law. And during the first quarter of 2023, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) adopted, revised, reconsidered, or proposed changes to the statutes, regulations, or standards connected to each of […]
Illinois Bans Incineration of PFAS
Does your Illinois business have or use PFAS in its products or operations? If yes, then you may need to pay close attention to a recent law that bans disposing of PFAS by incineration. PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a large group of manufactured chemicals that have been used in various industrial and household […]
PFAS on Illinois EPA’s and U.S. EPA’s Radar
Earlier this year, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued health advisories for several “forever chemicals.” Regulations require the issuance of a health advisory when a chemical that is “toxic or harmful to human health”—but for which there is no current groundwater standard—is detected in a community water supply well “and confirmed by resampling.” 35 […]
USEPA Seeks to Add PFAS to List of Toxic Chemicals
On December 4, 2019, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) published in the Federal Register an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking titled “Addition of Certain Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances; Community Right-to-Know Toxic Chemical Release Reporting.” 84 Fed. Reg. 66369. USEPA is currently considering a rule proposal to add certain polyfluroroalkyl substances (PFAS) to the list of toxic […]