EHSS was tasked with modifying the Departmental Occurrence Reporting and Processing System (ORPS) to accept PFAS release entries and issue guidance on reporting PFAS releases.
Office of Environment, Health, Safety & Security
December 15, 2021
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The release of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) into the environment is a topic of growing national concern. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has said that the scope of PFAS contamination in the United States and the potential threat to the public health makes the Federal Government’s task to address this contamination particularly challenging and urgent. PFAS are a class of man-made chemicals that have been manufactured and used in a variety of industries since the 1940s. PFAS were first produced on an industrial scale for use in uranium separation activities during the Manhattan Project, and thousands of chemical formulations have since been developed. PFAS substances have been widely used due to their resistance to grease, water, oil, and heat and are often found in stain-resistant carpeting, water-resistant clothing, non-stick and grease-resistant food contact materials (e.g., cookware and food packaging), and firefighting foam.