EPA Issues Proposed Rule Adding New PFAS to the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI)

On October 1, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed to add 16 individual per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as well as 15 PFAS categories, representing over 100 PFAS to the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) under Section 313 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). This proposal would be a significant expansion to the database. EPA is also proposing to set a reporting threshold of 100 pounds for manufacture, processing and other uses, consistent with previously set PFAS TRI reporting requirements. As proposed, all the PFAS in one category would count toward the 100-pound threshold of a given category. Last, the proposal aims to clarify how PFAS are automatically added to the TRI under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (NDAA) by clarifying how EPA finalizes toxicity values.

Proposed Rule
EPA is proposing to add the PFAS categories below to the TRI:

• 9-Chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanone-1-sulfonic acid (9Cl-PF3ONS), Salts, and Sulfonyl Halides Category;
• 11-Chloroeicosafluoro-3-oxaundecane-1-sulfonic acid (11Cl-Pf3OUdS), Salts, and Sulfonyl Halides Category;
• Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA, GenX), Salts, and Acyl Halides Category;
• Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS), Salts, Sulfonyl Halides, and Anhydride Category;
• Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA), Salts, Acyl Halides, and Anhydride Category;
• Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), Salts, Acyl Halides, and Anhydride Category;
• Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA), Salts, Acyl Halides, and Anhydride Category;
• Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), Salts, Sulfonyl Halides, and Anhydride Category;
• Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), Salts, Acyl Halides, and Anhydride Category;
• Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), Salts, Acyl Halides, and Anhydride Category;
• 1H,1H,2H,2H-Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (6:2 FTS), Salts, and Sulfonyl Halides Category;
• Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), Salts, Acyl Halides, and Anhydride Category;
• Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), Salts, Sulfonyl Halides, and Anhydride Category;
• Perfluoropropanoic acid (PFPrA), Salts, Acyl Halides, and Anhydride Category; and
• Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA), Salts, Acyl Halides, and Anhydride Category.

EPA is proposing to add the PFAS below to the TRI:

• Broflanilide; 1-Butanesulfonamide, 1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4,4-nonafluoro-N-methyl- (MeFBSA);
• 1-Butanesulfonamide, 1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4,4-nonafluoro-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-methyl- (MeFBSE);
• Cyclopentene, 1,3,3,4,4,5,5-heptafluoro- (HFCPE);
• Ethanesulfonamide, 1,1,2,2,2-pentafluoro-N-[(pentafluoroethyl)sulfonyl]-, lithium salt;
• 6:2 Fluorotelomer alcohol (6:2 FTOH); Fulvestrant; Hexaflumuron; Pentane, 1,1,1,2,2,3,4,5,5,5-decafluoro-3-methoxy-4-(trifluoromethyl);
• Perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA);
• Perfluoro(2-ethoxy-2-fluoroethoxy)acetic acid ammonium salt (EEA-NH4);
• 2-Propenoic acid, 2-[methyl[(nonafluorobutyl)sulfonyl]amino]ethyl ester (MeFBSEA); Pyrifluquinazon;
• Tetraconazole; Triethoxy(3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,8-tri-deca-fluorooctyl)silane; and
• Trifluoro(trifluoromethyl) oxirane (HFPO).

Additionally, EPA has proposed a 100-pound reporting threshold for these added PFAS, rather than the usual thresholds of 25,000 pounds for manufacturing and processing and 10,000 pounds for other uses. The 100-pound threshold is for chemicals of special concern, which PFAS are, according to EPA, because of their alleged qualities of persistence, bioaccumulation and toxicity.

Another consequence of being designated as a chemical of special concern is that the de minimis exemption to TRI reporting for both manufacturers and suppliers does not apply.

Under the current regulations, PFAS are automatically added to the TRI on January 1 of the calendar year following the year in which any of the following EPA triggering events occurs with respect to the pertinent chemical(s):

• The finalization of a toxicity value;
• The promulgation of a new significant new use rule (SNUR);
• A determination that an existing SNUR applies to the PFAS; and
• For PFAS already on the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Chemical Substance Inventory, a change from “inactive” to “active” status.

EPA is proposing to clarify how it defines “toxicity value” and what EPA activities or publications might constitute finalized toxicity values in order to trigger an addition to the TRI. EPA is proposing to interpret “toxicity value” as referring to the analysis and establishment of a value at which adverse effects of a substance may or may not occur. Additionally, the proposal includes a list of certain events that indicate the Agency has “finalized” a toxicity value. These include, for example, the publication of an IRIS assessment, the publication of a final assessment under Provisional Peer-Reviewed Toxicity Values (PPRTVs) Program, and development of toxicity values pursuant to TSCA section 6.

In sum, the proposed rule would increase the burden on entities subject to TRI reporting. This burden will likely continue to expand as the number of PFAS under TRI reporting obligations increases.

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