In the News

Boron nitride destroys PFAS ‘forever’ chemicals PFOA, GenX (Science Daily | July 7, 2020)
Chemical engineers have discovered a photocatalyst that can destroy 99% of the ‘forever’ chemical PFOA in laboratory tests on polluted water. Researchers showed the boron nitride catalyst also destroys GenX, a PFOA replacement that’s also an environmental problem.

PFAS chemical PFHxS targeted for restriction in the European Union (c&en | June 28, 2020)
The European Commission this year will consider a proposal to restrict the manufacture or sale of perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), its salts, or substances that degrade into PFHxS.

N.C. State study finds PFAS throughout Yadkin-Pee Dee River food chain (NC Health News | June 26, 2020)
Researchers say the PFAS could threaten the ecosystem, human health and an imperiled fish called the robust redhorse.

Scientists Pin Blame for Some Coronavirus Deaths on Air Pollution, PFAS, and Other Chemicals (The Intercept | June 26, 2020)
Almost six months into the coronavirus pandemic, it’s already clear that environmental pollution is responsible for some portion of the hundreds of thousands of Covid-19 deaths around the world.

US moves to exempt companies from reporting harmful chemical releases (The Guardian | June 24, 2020)
The exemption allows companies to bypass an EPA law meant to address widespread contamination from perflourinated chemicals.

EPA failed to monitor GenX chemical for eight years (The Fayetteville Observer | May 28, 2020)
The EPA’s regional office wasn’t told it was supposed to inspect the Chemours Fayetteville Works plant until the StarNews in Wilmington reported there was GenX in the Cape Fear River.

Bills Offer Options for PFAS Regulation (Coastal Review Online | May 20, 2020)
Rep. Pricey Harrison, D-Guilford, and about three dozen cosponsors, have introduced a series of bills intended to demonstrate the range of steps the state could take in regulating per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS.

PFAS restriction plan developing in EU (c&en | May 16, 2020)
Five countries are drawing up a proposal to restrict production and use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the European Union.

The toxic chemicals in our homes could increase Covid-19 threat (The Guardian | April 29, 2020)
Long-term exposure to air pollution increases the danger associated with four of the biggest Covid-19 mortality risks: diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease and asthma. It also can make the immune system overreact, exaggerating the inflammatory response to common pathogens.

Incinerators may spread, not break down PFAS (c&en | April 27, 2020)
New data suggest that commercial incineration of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) doesn’t break down these hardy chemicals. Instead, it spreads them into surrounding areas.