{"id":803,"date":"2024-07-12T06:31:41","date_gmt":"2024-07-12T10:31:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.packagingindustrynews.com\/?p=803"},"modified":"2024-07-12T06:31:41","modified_gmt":"2024-07-12T10:31:41","slug":"us-epa-grants-petition-to-address-pfas-in-fluorinated-plastic-containers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.packagingindustrynews.com\/?p=803","title":{"rendered":"US EPA grants petition to address PFAS in fluorinated plastic containers"},"content":{"rendered":"


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The EPA claims exposure to these chemicals can cause cancers, among other health issues. Credit: dba87 via Shutterstock. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has responded to concerns over the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in plastic containers by granting a petition that aims to address the issue.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

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The petition has been submitted by a coalition of environmental and public health groups, including the Center for Environmental Health, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, Clean Water Action, and others.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The petitioners also include Clean Cape Fear, Alaska Community Action on Toxics and Delaware Riverkeeper, and Merrimack Citizens for Clean Water.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Three specific PFAS\u00a0compounds have been targeted, namely perfluorooctanoic acid, perfluorononanoic acid, and perfluorodecanoic acid, which are found during the fluorination process of plastic containers.\u00a0<\/p>\n

These substances are said to be present in containers used for a range of products, from household consumer goods to industrial applications.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Concerns have been raised about the potential health risks associated with these long-chain PFAS, which can accumulate in the human body and the environment.\u00a0<\/p>\n

According to the EPA, exposure to these chemicals can cause cancers, affect the liver and heart, as well as immune and developmental impacts on infants and children.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The EPA\u2019s action is in line with the Biden-Harris Administration\u2019s commitment to tackle the health and environmental impacts of PFAS, often referred to as \u2018forever chemicals\u2019.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

The agency\u2019s recent inclusion of PFOA and PFNA in the national drinking water standard for PFAS, and the designation of PFOA as a hazardous substance under the Superfund bill, underscore the gravity of the situation.\u00a0<\/p>\n

This development follows a decision by the US Food and Drug Administration in February, which saw the discontinuation of sales<\/a> in the US for materials containing PFAS used in food packaging for grease proofing.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

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