Insights / newsInsights
Insights / news

In the Media

PFAS are everywhere—and the EPA has a new plan to fight back

Read Time: 1 min

Michael Blumenthal (Cleveland) was quoted in a Popular Science article on PFAS, the ever-present ‘forever chemicals’ that linger in the environment.  He provided commentary on the fact that the EPA has not announced stronger restrictions on PFAS and looked at the possibility of state restrictions and future litigation in the future.

“[It looks like the EPA is] waiting for 2022 and there’s going to be a lot of time between now and 2022 that is going to potentially expose people to cross contamination in drinking water,” he says.

Blumenthal also pointed out that the EPA’s announcement is similar to a 2019 announcement that also promised to research PFAS contaminations in hopes of implementing stricter regulations for public safety. 

“You have to treat [PFAS] like asbestos… they’re not doing that,” he says. “It was like a lot of promises and ideas, and nothing concrete, and there’s nothing new. I don’t see this problem going away quickly.”

Read the full article here.

Insights

Environmental Law Alert

PFAS in the Food and Beverage Industry: The EPA’s Next Target

April 12, 2023

The food and beverage industry faces a growing concern regarding per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of synthetic chemicals that studies have shown may demonstrate adverse effects to health and the environment. As enforcement and litigation increase, these industries must understand the potential impacts to their businesses. This is especially true as PFAS are scheduled to become a “Hazardous Substance” under CERCLA (Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act) in August of 2023.

Presentation

PFAS – The Coming Storm

March 28, 2023

Of Counsels Michael Blumenthal, David Waxman, and Associate Jessica Johnson from McGlinchey's Cleveland Office will present "PFAS – The Coming Storm" to the Association of Corporate Counsel on Tuesday, March 28, 2023.

Alert

EPA’s New PFAS Drinking Water Regs: Are You Prepared?

March 20, 2023

On March 14, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed the first national drinking water standard for so-called “forever chemicals” including PFAS. The unprecedented move by EPA is likely to create an exponential increase in litigation.

In the Media

Business on business lawsuits on the rise in Baton Rouge

December 10, 2021

Member Zelma Murray Frederick (Baton Rouge) was quoted in a Baton Rouge Business Report article on the rise of litigation in the Baton Rouge area, from pandemic-related litigation to disputes between businesses.

Alert

What’s In Your Permit?

December 17, 2020

On November 30, 2020, a workgroup within the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released information about a memorandum to the U.S. EPA Regional Administrators summarizing an Interim Strategy for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals”) for sites with federally issued National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for addressing PFAS in wastewater and stormwater permits under the Clean Water Act (CWA).

In the Media

3M to Assess Alabama PFAS Risks in ‘Precedent-Setting’ Deal

July 24, 2020

Environmental attorney Michael Blumenthal (Cleveland) was quoted in a Bloomberg Law article on an agreement 3M has made with the Alabama Dept. of Environmental Management, in which the company will assess contamination of “forever chemicals” PFAS in two Alabama counties, and will be held accountable for cleaning up the chemicals. The agreement “sets the stageMore