EPA Releases Interim PFAS Disposal Guidance for Public Comment

EPA has released its “Interim Guidance on Destroying and Disposing of Certain PFAS and PFAS-Containing Materials,” and has now met the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) requirement for it to be published by December 20, 2020. The interim guidance provides a collection of information on thermal treatment, landfill, and underground injection technologies for destruction or disposal of PFAS and PFAS-containing materials, and also provides information about how uncertainties for PFAS destruction should be considered in decision-making based on situational factors.

PFAS and PFAS-containing materials addressed in the guidance include: spent filters, membranes, resins, granular carbon, and other waste from water treatment; aqueous film-forming foam for firefighting; soil and biosolids; landfill leachate; and more. EPA is continuing to conduct research and working with other federal agencies and external partners to address identified gaps in knowledge and will plan to update this guidance as new information becomes available.

EPA will be accepting comments on the Interim Guidance for 60 days until February 22, 2021. For more information, read the Federal Register Notice, visit the EPA web page here and view the EPA press release here.