The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued updated
interim guidance for the destruction and disposal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS. The agency said the guidance reflects the most recent data available and is intended for states, utilities, waste handlers and local communities managing these chemicals.
EPA said PFAS are widely used, long-lasting chemicals that break down very slowly over time. Because of their persistence in the environment, the agency said PFAS should be destroyed or disposed of in a way that mitigates risks to nearby communities.
The updated guidance recommends technologies with the lowest potential for releasing PFAS to the environment based on site-specific conditions. EPA identified three existing approaches: Class I underground injection wells for long-term waste storage, disposal in Resource Conservation and Recovery Act regulated hazardous waste landfills, and hazardous waste combustors operating under specific conditions to destroy PFAS and minimize harmful byproducts and air emissions.
The agency also included a new technology evaluation framework to assess the safety and effectiveness of emerging PFAS destruction tools. EPA said it encourages technology developers and researchers to generate and publicly release data consistent with gold-standard science.
EPA will accept comments on the interim guidance for 60 days following publication in the Federal Register. Comments can be submitted to the public docket at
Regulations.gov, Docket ID:
EPA-HQ-OLEM-2020-0527.
“Keeping Americans safe from PFAS exposure is a top priority and a key part of the Trump EPA’s unwavering commitment to Make America Healthy Again,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. “This updated guidance identifies approaches to manage PFAS waste using the best available gold-standard science, so communities across the country can be confident that these chemicals are being managed, disposed of and destroyed in ways that safeguard their health and their environment.”
