Eric Wood provides briefing to US Congress on potential PFAS CERCLA Hazardous Substance designation

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) represent several thousand emerging compounds of environmental concern that have been used in a variety of applications (coatings, fire suppressants, surfactants, waxes, etc.) since the 1940s. Their historical uses in many industrial and commercial applications, coupled with their persistence and widespread detection in the environment, have resulted in intensified public and regulatory scrutiny. 

US Congress is currently debating the merits of a potential designation of PFAS as Hazardous Substances under CERCLA (otherwise known as Superfund), and Eric was asked to contribute his expertise for consideration.

In his committee briefing, Eric included an overview of the CERCLA program, the site investigation and remediation process, and current technical challenges faced by the regulated community regarding PFAS. Were PFAS to be designated as CERCLA Hazardous Substances, Eric provided his vision and opinions on issues of regulatory applicability and allocation of responsibility, as well as the financial impacts, reputational risk and business interruption that the regulated community could face. 

Contact Eric for more information.

Ramboll is a global leader in human health, ecological, environmental and water consulting. Our experts across multiple disciplines have extensive experience assessing and remediating contaminated sites, assessing and mitigating health risks, and providing litigation support and expert testimony.  

Eric has more than 36 years’ experience working under CERCLA, among other federal and state-led regulatory programs, with expertise in contaminated site management, expert testimony, environmental liability valuation, environmental compliance and transactional due diligence.