June 9 -- Comment period extended until August 11, 2023.
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2023-12410
Apr 13 -- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or the Agency) is seeking public input and data to assist in the consideration of potential development of future regulations pertaining to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA or Superfund). The Agency is seeking input and data regarding potential future hazardous substance designation under CERCLA of: Seven PFAS, besides perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), and their salts and structural isomers, or some subset thereof; precursors (a precursor is a chemical that is transformed into another compound through the course of a degradation process) to PFOA, PFOS, and seven other PFAS; and/or categories of PFAS. Comments must be received on or before June 12, 2023.
EPA is seeking input and data to assist in the potential development of future regulations pertaining to the designation of hazardous substances under section 102(a) of CERCLA, which authorizes the EPA Administrator to promulgate regulations designating as hazardous substances such elements, compounds, mixtures, solutions, and substances which, when released into the environment, may present substantial danger to the public health or welfare or the environment. Specifically, this ANPRM seeks public input regarding the possible designation of: (1) Seven PFAS besides PFOA and PFOS; (2) precursors to PFOA, PFOS, and certain other PFAS; and/or (3) categories of PFAS.
In EPA's NPRM designating PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances, the Agency noted that evidence indicates that these chemicals may present substantial danger to public health or welfare or the environment when released into the environment, thereby warranting designation under section 102(a) of CERCLA. In reaching this determination, the EPA considered a number of criteria, including adverse human health effects and mobility, persistence, and prevalence, in addition to other factors. As mentioned in the NPRM, it is not necessary to have information on all of these criteria for EPA to designate a PFAS compound as a hazardous substance under CERCLA. EPA is requesting information on these factors in this ANPRM since it may be relevant and to guide public input.
In evaluating whether to designate additional PFAS as hazardous substances, different levels of information may exist for individual compounds or categories of PFAS with regards to adverse human health effects, mobility, persistence, prevalence, and other factors. Some of this information is presented on EPA's Comptox Dashboard. EPA is seeking public input and additional information pertaining to these factors that the Agency could consider in evaluating whether these PFAS may present substantial danger to the public health or welfare or the environment. . . .
A. Request for Public Input Regarding Potential Future Hazardous Substance Designation of Seven Other PFAS
. . . .3. Please provide available information that EPA could consider in preparing an economic analysis of the potential direct and indirect costs and benefits, including impacts on small entities, associated with a potential rulemaking designating any of the above-mentioned compounds as hazardous substances. Although CERCLA section 102(a) precludes EPA from taking cost into account in the designation of a hazardous substance, the Agency is requesting this information to inform its understanding of the potential costs and benefits associated with any potential future regulatory action.
B. Request for Public Input Regarding Potential Future Hazardous Substance Designation of Precursors to PFOA, PFOS, and PFAS Listed in V.A.
. . . 9. Please provide available information that EPA could consider in preparing an economic analysis of the potential direct and indirect costs and benefits, including impacts on small entities, associated with a potential rulemaking designating these precursors as CERCLA hazardous substances. Although CERCLA section 102(a) precludes EPA from taking cost into account in the designation of a hazardous substance, the Agency is requesting this information to inform its understanding of the potential costs and benefits associated with any potential future regulatory action.
C. Request for Public Input Regarding Potential Future Designation, or Designations, of Categories of PFAS as Hazardous Substances
. . . 12. Please provide available information that EPA could consider in preparing an economic analysis of the potential costs and benefits, including impacts on small entities, associated with a potential rulemaking designating categories of PFAS as hazardous substances. Although CERCLA section 102(a) precludes EPA from taking cost into account in the designation of a hazardous substance, the Agency is requesting this information to inform its understanding of the potential costs and benefits associated with any potential future regulatory action.
FRN:
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2023-07535 [5 pages]
EPA news release: EPA Takes Important Step to Advance PFAS Strategic Roadmap, Requests Public Input and Data to Inform Potential Future Regulations under CERCLA
https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-takes-important-step-advance-pfas-strategic-roadmap-requests-public-input-and-data
Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Potential Future Designations of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) as CERCLA Hazardous Substances
https://www.epa.gov/superfund/advanced-notice-proposed-rulemaking-potential-future-designations-and-polyfluoroalkyl