EPA designates two main PFAS chemicals under federal Superfund law

New rule sets strict reporting requirements for PFOA and PFOS, makes contaminated sites eligible for CERCLA cleanup 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Michigan League of Conservation Voters today issued the following statement hailing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for finalizing a new rule that designates PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances under the federal “Superfund” law (the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act or CERCLA).

“We applaud the EPA for taking action to ensure communities impacted by toxic PFAS contamination receive the assistance they need to ensure contamination is cleaned up and polluters are held accountable,” said Bentley Johnson, federal government affairs director for the Michigan League of Conservation Voters. “By designating PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances under CERCLA and including sites contaminated with these chemicals on the Superfund cleanup list, we can accelerate cleanup actions to address dangerous ‘forever chemicals’ wreaking havoc on the health of communities like Rockford, MI.”

This is the first time a new substance has been designated as being hazardous by the EPA under CERCLA since the federal Superfund law was passed in 1980. The new rule will ensure corporations and companies that pollute the environment with PFOA and PFOS will be held to account for the cost of cleanup, and highly contaminated areas found to have PFOA and PFOS will be listed as Superfund sites.