Listen to this post

Most people have never heard of per- and polyfluoroalkyl compounds, otherwise known as PFAS. These chemical compounds are found in a variety of common products, including non-stick coatings, waterproof fabric, firefighting foam, floor and car waxes and, as recently discovered and publicized, in synthetic turf.  PFAS have earned the nickname of “forever compounds” as they are not easily broken down by the human body, or in the environment. PFAS have also attracted recent media attention given the proliferation of litigation surrounding these compounds in light of a wide range of potential health effects.

Schools or any other organizations that have (or are considering installing) athletic/recreation fields with artificial turf should be proactively evaluating PFAS developments and managing the potential environmental, health and safety risks linked to PFAS. The PFAS issues are evolving rapidly and are filled with uncertainty, as federal and state regulations are still murky at best.

For additional information on PFAS, see our recent post PFAS: What’s All the PFUSS? and an article from The Intercept on the potential impact of PFAS in artificial turf.

Print:
Email this postTweet this postLike this postShare this post on LinkedIn
Photo of Andrew N. Davis Andrew N. Davis

Andrew Davis is Chair of the firm’s Environmental Practice Group. He counsels clients in transactional, permitting, compliance and enforcement matters under federal and state health and safety, hazardous waste, air and water pollution, site development and property transfer laws.

Photo of Julie C. Fay Julie C. Fay

Julie is co-chair of Shipman’s Education Department, and a partner in the School Law Practice group, where she represents public and independent schools in a variety of special education and general education law matters, with a particular focus on issues relating to students…

Julie is co-chair of Shipman’s Education Department, and a partner in the School Law Practice group, where she represents public and independent schools in a variety of special education and general education law matters, with a particular focus on issues relating to students with disabilities, student discipline, confidentiality, school governance and policy. Julie frequently represents schools in administrative hearings, including expulsion hearings, special education due process hearings and related proceedings, and is often called upon to guide districts in drafting policies and administrative procedures in all education law areas. As part of her practice, Julie has conducted numerous professional development workshops for clients and other school organizations.

Photo of Alfredo G. Fernández Alfredo G. Fernández

A former aerospace engineer, Alfredo focuses his practice on regulatory compliance and transactional due diligence with respect to a wide range of federal, state and international environmental, health and safety laws.  Alfredo regularly counsels clients regarding new and existing chemicals under the Toxic…

A former aerospace engineer, Alfredo focuses his practice on regulatory compliance and transactional due diligence with respect to a wide range of federal, state and international environmental, health and safety laws.  Alfredo regularly counsels clients regarding new and existing chemicals under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), “Superfund” liability under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), chemical crises under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), and workplace safety under the Occupational Safety and Health Act.  Alfredo also has experience with unique investigation and remediation issues associated with emerging contaminants, state “Brownfields” programs and the “Connecticut Transfer Act.”

Alfredo’s complete biography can be found here.