Our award-winning PFAS group (yes, we really are award-winning) is known for frequently writing and speaking on various PFAS topics and sharing insights with businesses in different industry sectors. The past two months have been no different. Here are some highlights we want to make sure you don’t miss:
- Matt Walker presented on PFAS Updates for the Environmental Practitioner at the Illinois State Bar Association’s 20th Annual Environmental Law Conference on May 13. The presentation offered an in-depth look at the proposed RCRA federal rulemaking and proposed Illinois groundwater standards for PFAS.
- Rick Kubler participated in a panel presentation at the Minnesota Brownfield’s PFAS Education and Outreach Forum on May 10. The panel discussion covered a range of topics from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s (MPCA) PFAS Monitoring Plan, to priorities of the MPCA’s PFAS Stakeholder Advisory Group (which Rick was recently appointed to serve on), and pending PFAS guidance.
- Jessie Rosell and Ally Cunningham contributed to a May 3rd Chemical Watch article titled, “PFAS class action lawsuits expected to keep increasing in US” in which they addressed the recent rise in US class action lawsuits on PFAS-containing goods. They also offered suggestions for businesses in potentially affected industries, such as inspecting your supply chains for the persistent substance class, ensuring your public statements about product safety are accurate, and the importance of continuing to monitor regulatory updates and scientific investigations into the compounds’ effects and possible product-related exposure routes.
- Matt Walker spoke to Food Quality & Safety magazine about recent lawsuits filed against McDonalds and Burger King over PFAS in food packaging. He was quoted throughout this April 28th article, “Fast Food Chains Sued Over PFAS in Food Packaging” and stated that due to the combination of media attention, increasing regulatory pressure, and consumer activism, the food industry will likely be the target of continuing litigation.
- On April 12th, Cynthia Teel and Jessie Rosell presented to the Colorado Environmental Management Society on The PFAS Roadmap and Beyond: PFAS Regulatory Update, where they examined when to expect CERCLA and RCRA listings; what this means for environmental due diligence and how you can plan for those changes now; and engaging with regulators to increase predictability and minimize risks.
- Ally Cunningham, Matt Walker and Sam Butler spoke at a firm-hosted webinar on March 15th regarding what the personal care products industry needs to know about PFAS and cosmetics. Three days later Environmental Health News covered the webinar in an article that discussed how a recent string of PFAS-related litigation highlights the vulnerabilities within the cosmetics industry and how the quickly evolving landscape of PFAS regulations makes it difficult for companies to comply.