EPA Readying Fall Nationwide PFAS Survey of Metal Finishing Industry to Inform New Water Discharge Rule

NASF continues discussions with US EPA on the agency’s plans for a nationwide survey of the metal finishing industry on its use of PFAS. NASF plans to review the draft EPA survey and provide feedback to the agency prior to its distribution. The survey – which is required by EPA to collect information on the industry and prepare proposed first-of-its-kind PFAS discharge standards for the industry – will likely go to a wide range of job shop and captive operations and are scheduled to be sent out in the fall.

In the meantime, NASF is reviewing EPA’s current list of facilities scheduled to receive the PFAS survey. The agency’s current list is a product of integrating current regulatory databases along with federal consultations with state and local regulatory jurisdictions in key states.

The Policy Group is now working with NASF chapter leaders to provide corrections to the list of 2100+ facilities that are possible PFAS or chromium users. While the evaluation is not yet complete, it’s clear there are a large number of facilities on the list that are now closed.

Finishing operations should stay tuned for more information from NASF on this extremely important issue.

---

This update is courtesy of the National Association for Surface Finishing (NASF). For more information or to become a member, visit nasf.org.