Groups call on EPA to ban plastic fluorination that creates PFAS
PEER: EPA must ban fluorination process that creates PFAS in plastics.
Today, 64 advocacy groups called on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to use its authority under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to prohibit Inhance Technologies from continuing to produce several dangerous per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) during the fluorination of plastic containers. New research demonstrates that PFAS can leach from fluorinated plastics into substances including water, solvents, and food products. Fluorinated containers are used to store numerous industrial and consumer products, including cleaning products, automotive fluids, lubricants and greasers, hobby supplies and even food.
Inhance, which fluorinates tens of millions of containers used by businesses and consumers, has been producing these PFAS in violation of EPA regulations issued in 2020. The groups’ letter to Assistant EPA Administrator Michal Freedhoff was prompted by Inhance’s submission to EPA of nine significant new use notices (SNUNs) seeking approval to continue manufacturing, processing, and distributing PFAS and exposing people and the environment to these unsafe chemicals. In their letter, the groups emphasized that giving a green light to the SNUNs would undermine the Agency’s commitment to reducing exposure to PFAS and preventing increased risks of harm.