Hinkley, California, USA, 1952-1966: A Pacific Gas and Electric powerplant releases 1.4 billion liters (370 million gallons) of wastewater laced with carcinogenic chromium-6 into unlined ponds, polluting groundwater for the town’s 2,000 residents. The “novel entities” planetary boundary encapsulates all toxic and long-lived substances that humans release into the environment — from heavy metals and radioactive waste, to industrial chemicals and pesticides, even novel living organisms — which can threaten the stability of the Earth system. .More:

• Novel chemical entities: Are we sleepwalking through a planetary boundary?  –  Mongabay
• The nine boundaries humanity must respect to keep the planet habitable  –  Mongabay
• Stockholm Resilience Centre  –  Stockholm Resilience Centre
• Planetary boundaries: Guiding human development on a changing planet (Research article)

• PCB chemical threat to Europe's killer whales and dolphins  –  BBC News
• Case Summary: GE Agrees to Further Investigate Upper Hudson River Floodplain in a Comprehensive Study to Cost About $20.5 Million  –  US EPA
• What are PFAS chemicals, and what are they doing to our health?  –  CNN
• Estimated exposures to perfluorinated compounds in infancy predict attenuated vaccine antibody concentrations at age 5-years (Research article)
• Severity of COVID-19 at elevated exposure to perfluorinated alkylates (Research article)

• UN report: Urgent action needed to tackle chemical pollution as global production is set to double by 2030  –  UNEP
• For European chemical giants, Brazil is an open market for toxic pesticides banned at home  –  Mongabay
• Synthetic chemicals as agents of global change (Research abstract)

• Hormones and Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals: Low-Dose Effects and Nonmonotonic Dose Responses (Research article)
• Antimicrobial resistance  –  WHO
• Antibiotic and pesticide susceptibility and the Anthropocene operating space (Review article)

• Understanding REACH  –  ECHA
• Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA): Overview –  PACE University
• How Pesticide Companies Corrupted the EPA and Poisoned America  –  The Intercept

The PFAS scandal surrounding the 3M factory in Antwerp has continued to unfold, teetering ever closer to the realms of absurdity. While Belgians are no strangers to surrealism, the scandal is as serious as it is ridiculous. As the plot progresses, its dramatic turns could make a worthy sequel to Mark Ruffalo’s Dark Waters – Donkere Waters anyone? More:

• Surreally serious: PFAS paralysis follows astonishing scandal  –  META
• Talking industry accountability: Will the polluter pay?  –  META
• The link between forever growth and Belgium's 'forever chemicals' scandal  –  META

• PFOS: Committee of enquiry begins its work, but what is that work?  –  The Brussels Times
• Environmental Liability  –  European Commission
• Evaluation and Revision under Industrial Emissions Directive (IED)  –  European Commission
• The Polluter Pays Principle: Inconsistent application across EU environmental policies and actions (Special report)  –  European Court of Auditors

The EPA gauges the potential risk posed by a chemical using two measures: how toxic the agency considers it and how much of the substance the public will likely be exposed to. More:

• New Evidence of Corruption at EPA Chemicals Division  –  The Intercept
• EPA Exposed  –  The Intercept

The Aarhus Convention is an international agreement that gives people the right to access information about the environment. It also promotes public participation in decision-making and in the preparation of environment-related policies. It provides access to justice on environmental matters, for individuals and NGOs. More:

• The Aarhus Convention series: Part One  –  META
• EU Reputation at Stake / Aarhus Convention series: Part Two  –  META
• The Aarhus Convention  –  European Commission

As evidence mounts that hamburger wrappers and other kinds of grease-proof packaging contaminate food with PFAS, states have started banning the toxic chemicals from food packaging. More:

• Alabama PFAS manufacturing plant creates the climate pollution of 125,000 cars  –  EHN

• PFAS with your pizza? People who eat more takeout have higher levels of harmful chemicals in their bodies  –  EHN
• Path of Toxic Pollution, an investigative report  –  Toxic - Free Future
• Vermont and Connecticut Ban PFAS Usage in Food Packaging  –  The National Law Review

• Manufacturers make PFAS-free food packaging recipe available to all  –  EHN

The water had combined concentrations of PFOS and PFOA more than 13 times higher than Japan’s safety target, Ginowan city wrote in results published on its website. Ginowan city said it sampled water just outside Marine Corps Air Station Futenma’s fence line on Aug. 26, approximately two hours after the Marines began dumping treated wastewater into the public system. More:

• Okinawa governor wants on-site scrutiny after water samples show toxic discharge from Marine base  –  Stars and Stripes
• Okinawa governor condemns Marine Corps for releasing tainted water into public system  –  Stars and Stripes
• Marine Corps removes hazardous firefighting foam from its bases on Okinawa  –  Stars and Stripes

Used in everything from cosmetics to food packaging, PFAS also show up in paint (as a binding agent and to give a smooth finish), wood lacquers (for repelling oil and water, and stain resistance) and sealants. They are used in the top layer of solar panels, artificial grass and firefighting foams. More:

• ‘Forever chemicals’: the hidden threat from the toxic PFAS on your shelf  –  The Guardian
• Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)  –  US NIH
• Raining PFAS: Amount of PFAS found is outpacing legacy contaminants  –  Great Lakes Now

• Study finds alarming levels of ‘forever chemicals’ in US mothers’ breast milk  –  The Guardian
• Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Breast Milk: Concerning Trends for Current-Use PFAS (Research abstract)

• Toxic ‘forever chemicals’ are contaminating plastic food containers  –  The Guardian
• Toxic ‘forever chemicals’ widespread in top makeup brands, study finds  –  The Guardian
• PFAS in Building Materials  –  Green Science Policy Institute
• The use of PFAS and fluorine-free alternatives in fire-fighting foams (Report)  –  ECHA/Wood

• A Map of European Emissions and Concentrations of PFOS and PFOA (Research abstract)
• Global transport of perfluoroalkyl acids via sea spray aerosol (Research article)
• Spatial and Temporal Trends of Perfluoroalkyl Substances in Global Ocean and Coastal Waters (Research article)
• Investigating the Uptake and Fate of Poly- and Perfluoroalkylated Substances (PFAS) in Sea Ice Using an Experimental Sea Ice Chamber (Research article)
• Deposition of PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ on Mt. Everest (Research abstract)

Despite decades of research on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), fundamental obstacles remain to addressing worldwide contamination by these chemicals and their associated impacts on environmental quality and health. Here, we propose six urgent questions relevant to science, technology, and policy that must be tackled to address the “PFAS problem”. More:

• Addressing Urgent Questions for PFAS in the 21st Century (Research Abstract)

Firefighters are among those most highly exposed to harms from the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS through their protective gear and firefighting foam, but many local fire departments lack the resources to switch to PFAS-free alternatives. More:

• Local fire departments need Congress’ help for switch to PFAS-free foam and gear  –  EWG
• New Study Confirms High PFAS Blood Levels Among Firefighters  –  EWG

• Gear treated with ‘forever chemicals’ poses risk to firefighters  –  University of Notre Dame
• Protective gear could expose firefighters to PFAS  –  C&EN
• Study: Almost All Fluorine Detected in Fire Stations’ Dust Is From Unknown ‘Forever Chemicals'  –  EWG
• Study: PFAS Exposure Through Skin Causes Harm Similar to Ingestion  –  EWG

• Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances in Firefighting Foam (Study report)  –  New York State Pollution Prevention Institute
• Innovations in Turnout Gear - PPE-SCBA  –  Industrial Fire World
• Fire-Dex Launches Non-Fluorinated PPE Fabrics  –  Firehouse
• NFD among first in the nation to get PFAS-free firefighting gear  –  The Inquirer and Mirror

• For Decades, Polluters Knew PFAS Chemicals Were Dangerous But Hid Risks From Public  –  EWG
• For Decades, The Department of Defense Knew Fire Fighting Foams With PFAS Chemicals Were Dangerous But Continued Their Use  –  EWG

The California State Legislature approved Assembly Bill 1200, which would ban the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS from paper, paperboard or plant-based food packaging, utensils and paper straws starting January 1, 2023. The Bill also requires labeling of cookware containing toxic chemicals. More:

• California lawmakers approve bill to ban toxic ‘forever chemicals’ in food packaging and straws  –  EWG
• Assembly Bill No. 1200. Plant-based food packaging : cookware : hazardous chemicals-  –  California Legislative Information
• What’s Cooking? PFAS and Other Chemical Hazards in Nonstick Cooking and Baking Pans  –  Ecology Center

• Study: PFAS Act Similar to Known Cancer-Causing Chemicals  –  EWG
• PFAS and Developmental and Reproductive Toxicity: An EWG Fact Sheet  –  EWG
• PFAS Chemicals Harm the Immune System, Decrease Response to Vaccines, New EWG Review Finds  –  EWG

A well in the Bayfield subdivision on the outskirts of Fayetteville has tested positive for one type of forever chemical known as PMPA. At least two other nearby wells are also tainted, and more well testing is coming. Chemours is providing bottled water to the homes - and filtration systems at some point - as required by a consent order. More:

• Wells polluted with PFAS found 18 miles from Chemours chemical plant  –  NC Health News
• Army Vet, Conservative Joins Battle on Environmental Pollution  –  NC Health News
• Basic Information on PFAS  –  PFA

• Chemours Consent Order  –  NC Department of Eenvironmental Quality
• DEQ issues Notice of Violation to Chemours for improper waste disposal  –  NC DEQ
• RELEASE: DAQ Issues Notice of Violation to Chemours  –  NC DEQ
• North Carolina fines Chemours $200,000 more for failing to stop PFAS pollution  –  NC Health News

The EU has decided to ban 200 PFAS substances in phases, starting February 2023. This is the first time the EU has imposed a ban on several chemicals of similar structure and properties all at once, which hopefully paves the way for more group bans. More:

• EU puts 200 PFAS out of business – but thousands remain  –  Chemsec
• Proposed restriction of 200 PFAS intended to prevent regrettable substitution  –  Chemsec
• Why high levels of PFAS should be a personal injury by law  –  Chemsec
• Corporate PFAS Movement  –  Chemsec

Gigoo-Aakoosi: Fish Is Sick tells the story of the Asubpeeschoseewagong Netum Anishinabek, also known as Grassy Narrows First Nation, and Wabauskang First Nation and the historical and ongoing devastation endured by those living with water contamination. More:

• How an Ontario paper mill poisoned nearby First Nations  –  National Observer

• Dioxins and their effects on human health  –  WHO
• Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and related compounds (Research abstract)

• Effluents from Pulp Mills Using Bleaching (Assessment Report)  –  Canadian Environmental Protection Act
• Technologies for reducing Dioxin in the Manufacture of Bleached Wood Pulp  –  Princeton

Researchers tested indoor air at 20 sites and detected the “forever chemicals” in 17 locations. The airborne compounds are thought to break off of PFAS-treated products such as carpeting and clothing and attach to dust or freely float through the indoor environment. More:

• Toxic ‘forever chemicals’ contaminate indoor air at worrying levels, study finds  –  The Guardian
• I tested my tap water, household products and cat for toxic 'forever chemicals'  –  The Guardian
• The Air That We Breathe: Neutral and Volatile PFAS in Indoor Air (Research abstract)
• An overview of the uses of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) (Research article)

The chemicals have seeped into the Great Lakes, adversely affecting wildlife, and potentially harming residents’ food supply and livelihoods if they consume fish contaminated with the chemicals. The contamination underscores the need for swift PFAS cleanup by DOD, which used these chemicals in firefighting foams for decades and knew of their harms. More:

• ‘Forever chemicals’ contamination at Defense Department sites threatens Great Lakes fish and residents  –  EWG
• Learn more about PFAS, the toxic nonstick chemicals in water  –  EWG

• Detection of a Cyclic Perfluorinated Acid, Perfluoroethylcyclohexane Sulfonate, in the Great Lakes of North America (Research abstract)
• Perfluorinated Compounds in Aquatic Organisms at Various Trophic Levels in a Great Lakes Food Chain (Research abstract)
• Spatial and temporal variability of perfluoroalkyl substances in the Laurentian Great Lakes (Research abstract)

• Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) (Methods and guidance for sampling and analyzing water and other environmental media)  –  US EPA
• Determination of 16 Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Food using LC-MSMS (Testing method)  –  US FDA

• PFAS in food: EFSA assesses risks and sets tolerable intake  –  European Food Safety Authority
• Choose Wisely. A Health Guide for Eating Fish in Wisconsin (Advisory booklet) –  Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
• New Smelt Consumption Advisory for Lake Superior  –  Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
• PFAS Response - Consumption guidelines for fish with elevated PFOS levels  –  Michigan.gov

David Harris grew up on a farm next door to the Naval Research Laboratory – Chesapeake Bay Detachment. He recalls camping with his scout troop on the 168-acre base overlooking the Bay and drinking water from the small stream that flows from the Navy property onto his family’s farm. More:

• ‘Forever chemicals’ from Navy lab flowing into the Chesapeake Bay  –  The Southern Maryland Chronicle
• ‘Forever chemicals’ contamination at Defense Department sites threatens Chesapeake Bay fish  –  EWG
• Basic Information on PFAS  –  US EPA

• Drinking Water Health Advisories for PFOA and PFOS  –  US EPA

As U.S. forces withdrew from Afghanistan, the Taliban immediately rushed in, and it recently took over the country’s major cities in just a few days. The end of the two-decade American occupation has not only produced a fraught political situation; it has also created an environmental one. Some of the military bases the U.S. handed over to the Afghan national security forces—which this month stood down rather than continuing to contest a seemingly inevitable Taliban victory—hold toxic detritus that may never get a full cleanup. More:

• U.S. Forces Are Leaving a Toxic Environmental Legacy in Afghanistan  –  Scientific American
• U.S. military responsibility for environmental cleanup in contingency environments. (Environmental Law Article)

• Airborne Hazards and Burn Pit Exposures  –  U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs
• Use of open-air burn pits in contingency operations  –  DOD Instruction
• Cleanup of U.S. Military Burn Pits in Iraq and Afghanistan  –  APHA

• Firefighting Foam Chemicals- DOD Is Investigating PFAS and Responding to Contamination, but Should Report More Cost Informati  –  US Government Accountability Office

The Department of Defense records reveal PFAS levels at the 59 installations ranging from 3.4 parts per trillion, or ppt, to 870,000 ppt in the bases’ soil and water. There are no federal limits on PFAS in soil or water, but some states have moved to limit the most ubiquitous type of PFAS in drinking water to levels as low as 6 ppt in order to adequately protect human health. More:

• ‘Forever chemicals’ contamination found at 59 more Defense Department sites  –  EWG
• Learn more about PFAS, the toxic nonstick chemicals in water  –  EWG

• PFAS and Developmental and Reproductive Toxicity: An EWG Fact Sheet  –  EWG
• PFAS Chemicals Harm the Immune System, Decrease Response to Vaccines, New EWG Review Finds  –  EWG
• Study: PFAS Act Similar to Known Cancer-Causing Chemicals  –  EWG

• California announces bold public health goals for PFOA and PFOS in drinking water  –  EWG
• House defense bill includes historic funding for PFAS cleanup at military sites  –  EWG

• For Decades, The Department of Defense Knew Fire Fighting Foams With PFAS Chemicals Were Dangerous But Continued Their Use  –  EWG
• Defense Department delayed PFAS cleanup, ignored health risks, Inspector General says  –  EWG
• Interactive Map- 679 Military Sites With Known or Suspected Discharges of PFAS  –  EWG
• A Toxic Threat - Government Must Act Now on PFAS Contamination at Military Bases  –  Union of Concerned Scientists

The eggs of chickens that range freely in places where plastic is incinerated have extremely high levels of dioxins. The norms that prevail in Europe are dramatically exceeded in low-income countries. Researchers analysed chicken eggs for dioxins, PCBs, and some other persistent organic toxins (Persistent Organic Pollutants, POPs). They argue for a complete ban on the export of plastic waste. More:

• Dioxin in eggs from burning plastic  –  Plastic Soup Foundation
• Toxic Chemicals in Plastic Waste Poisoning People in Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe & Latin America  –  IPEN (Report)
• Code of practice for the prevention and reduction of dioxin and dioxin-like PCB contamination in foods and feeds (PDF)  –  FAO

High levels of PFAS chemicals have contaminated a plastics recycling company in Henderson, Kentucky, spreading through the air and water and likely contaminating a creek that flows into the Ohio River, state officials say. More:

• ‘Concerning’ Levels Of Forever Chemicals Polluting Henderson  –  WKU Public Radio
• Fact Sheet PFOA & PFOS Drinking Water Health Advisories  –  US EPA