Life in the PFAS lane

LIFE IN THE PFAS LANE: EPA is holding another all-day PFAS engagement meeting this morning — this time in Fayetteville, N.C., where agency officials will hear about the state waterways suffering from contamination of GenX, a PFAS chemical similar to PFOA and PFOS. The chemical turned into a major issue in the state after it showed up in the Cape Fear River. Last December, both of North Carolina’s Republican senators helped sink the administration’s nominee to head EPA’s chemical safety office, in part because of the GenX crisis.

Republican Rep. Richard Hudson, who represents Fayetteville, will deliver remarks this morning. He called GenX “a top priority” in a statement, adding he will “work with federal, state, and local officials to help make sure the right steps are taken to protect public health.” Public comment begins at 3 p.m. See today’s agenda here.

Recall: EPA has said it will develop toxicity values for GenX by this summer. Ahead of the meeting, Trey Glenn, EPA’s Region 4 administrator, wrote an op-ed in the Fayetteville Observer on actions EPA is taking on PFAS chemicals.