Final rule sets strict reporting requirements for two “forever chemicals,” makes PFAS sites eligible for Superfund cleanup list

APRIL 19, 2024

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Great Lakes PFAS Action Network (GLPAN) today issued the following statement applauding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) final rule designating PFOA and PFOS, two main types of toxic PFAS chemicals, as hazardous substances under the federal “Superfund” law (the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act or CERCLA).

“The new designation of PFOA and PFOS and including PFAS-contaminated sites on the Superfund cleanup list will allow for accelerated cleanup actions to address dangerous ‘forever chemicals’ wreaking havoc on our health,” said Tony Spaniola, co-chair of the Great Lakes PFAS Action Network.  “By designating PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances under CERCLA, the EPA is taking action to ensure PFAS-impacted communities are accounted for and that PFAS polluters are held accountable for the cost of cleaning up their mess. We thank the EPA and the White House Office of Management and Budget for taking action to finalize this important new rule”

“Thanks to the EPA’s new rule, widespread contamination in communities like Rockford will finally see action to address widespread contamination that has not been included under CERCLA until now,” said Sandy Wynn-Stelt, co-chair of the Great Lakes PFAS Action Network. “For far too long, communities like mine that have been impacted by PFAS contamination have been helpless. With this new designation, we hope to finally see the federal oversight we deserve to address the PFAS crisis in our backyard and hold polluters accountable.” 

The EPA’s new rule marks the first time a new substance has been designated as being hazardous under CERCLA since the federal Superfund law was passed in 1980. Under the new designation, 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.