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Insights / events

Presentation

PFAS – The Coming Storm

Read Time: 1 min

Manufacturing processes for several industries use a family of synthetic chemicals called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Known as “forever chemicals” because they don’t naturally degrade, PFAS can be found in the water, soil, air, and human bodies—virtually everywhere in the world, even Antarctica. Key industries with significant documented discharges include PFAS production and processing, metal finishing, airports, pulp and paper, landfills, and textile and carpet manufacturing.

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. This presentation will explore what PFAS are, the impact of PFAS on humans, and the liabilities created by PFAS.

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Insights

News Release

Waxman Named Vice Chair of ABA Environmental Committee

February 1, 2024

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce Of Counsel David Waxman has been selected to serve as the Environmental Committee Vice Chair of the American Bar Association (ABA) Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section's Land Use and Environmental Group.

Podcasts

Podcast: Demystifying Agency Rulemaking, Ep. 2: Mastering Participation in the Process

September 1, 2023

In the first part of our two-part series on agency rulemaking, we explored how the Administrative Procedures Act, the major questions doctrine, and the Chevron doctrine affect Federal agency rulemaking. In this part, we will explore the Paperwork Reduction Act, the Regulatory Flexibility Act, the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, and the importance of participating in the rulemaking process.

Podcasts

Podcast: Demystifying Agency Rulemaking, Ep.1: Navigating the Administrative Procedures Act to Safeguard Against Overreaching Regulations

August 18, 2023

In the first episode of our two-part series, “Demystifying Agency Rulemaking,” McGlinchey attorneys Michael Blumenthal, Douglas Charnas, and David Waxman will delve into the history and evolution of the Administrative Procedures Act (APA) and its enforcement, including a review of cases involving the major question doctrine and the Chevron doctrine.

Alert

EPA PFAS Enforcement Has Begun

May 30, 2023

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says it has taken its first-ever Clean Water Act (CWA) enforcement action against water pollution by so-called “forever chemicals” from a West Virginia chemical plant. On April 26, 2023, EPA Ordered Chemours Co., owner of Washington Works near Parkersburg, West Virginia, to take action aimed at reducing the levels of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) the facility discharges into the Ohio River.

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.

Alert

EPA Sets PFAS Enforcement Sights on Manufacturing Industry

April 10, 2023

PFAS are dominating the environmental health news cycles by the destruction and irreparable harm they cause to people and the environment. These substances have been found to pose significant health risks, including cancer, thyroid disease, and immune system disorders.

Alert

EPA Recommends Cybersecurity Improvements for Water Systems

April 3, 2023

On March 3, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a memorandum to help improve the cybersecurity posture guarding the nation’s water filtration systems. The guidelines, developed with input from industry experts and various government agencies, provide recommendations for utilities to improve their security and reduce the risk of cyber-attacks. These guidelines indicate that the EPA will aggressively enforce stringent cybersecurity standards in the future.

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

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