Environmental Quality Board Sets 3 Hearings On Proposed Changes To 80 Chemical Cleanup Standards Under Land Recycling Program, Including More PFAS Chemicals And Lead

The Environmental Quality Board published notice in the July 13 PA Bulletin inviting comments on proposed changes to 80 soil and water chemical cleanup standards under the Land Recycling Program, including more compounds in the PFAS family of chemicals and lead, and setting three public hearing.

This rulemaking proposes to add five compounds from the Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) family of compounds for which new toxicity data has been published. 

These five include Gen-X (Hexafluoropropylene Oxide (HFPO) Dimer Acid) and its ammonium salt, Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA), Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), and the potassium salt of Perfluorobutane sulfonate.

It also proposes to introduce updated models used to calculate the soil direct contact numeric values for lead, as well as reduce the target blood lead value for lead, and adds an additional statistical method for attaining the Statewide health standard for lead in soil.

Three public hearings will be held on the cleanup standard changes--

-- August 19: In-Person Hearing at DEP’s Southwest Regional Office in Pittsburgh at 1:00 p.m.

-- August 27: In-Person Hearing at DEP’s Southeast Regional Office in Norristown at 1:00 p.m.

-- September 4: Virtual Hearing.  Click Here for instructions on how to join (when posted).

Persons wishing to present testimony at a hearing are requested to contact Casey Damicantonio for the Department and the Board, (717) 783-8727 or RA-EPEQB@pa.gov, at least 1 week in advance of the hearing to sign up to present testimony. 

Language interpretation services are available upon request.

Read the entire PA Bulletin notice for more information.

Click Here for copies of the rulemaking and background documents from Environmental Quality Board webpage.

[Posted: July 12, 2024]  PA Environment Digest