Multinational Company Agrees to EPA Order to Sample and Provide Treatment for PFAS Contamination in Drinking Water

Last month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a large multinational company agreed to an EPA order to sample and provide treatment to address contamination from per- and polyfluoroakyl substances (PFAS) found in drinking water in the vicinity of a Cordova, IL facility the firm operates.

According to the EPA news release, recent sampling results provided by the company indicate the widespread presence of a mixture of at least 19 different PFAS chemicals in drinking water within a 3-mile radius of the Cordova facility. Given the unique circumstances affecting this community, including more than five decades of PFAS discharges and the many types of PFAS chemicals found, EPA has concluded that the situation constitutes an imminent and substantial endangerment under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act.

PFAS are man-made chemicals that have come under increasing scrutiny in recent years because many chemicals in this group do not readily break down in the environment and can build up in animals, including humans. EPA reports there is evidence that exposure to some of these chemicals may cause a variety of health concerns.

“In 2021, EPA launched the PFAS Strategic Roadmap,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “It includes specific actions and a commitment to new policies to safeguard public health, protect the environment and to hold polluters accountable. At EMSL, we are pleased to offer drinking water tests for a wide range of PFAS from samples collected in Illinois and most other states. In the near future, EMSL will have even more PFAS testing options available to environmental professionals, water utilities, regulators, manufacturers and the public.”

Several years ago, EMSL sponsored an educational video about PFAS and potential exposure risks that can still be seen at: https://youtu.be/skLIprCGeX4

To learn more about this or to request a PFAS sampling kit for states where EMSL is accepting samples from, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com .

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.

EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP 797, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOC’s, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products, and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA-LAP, LLC (AIHA-LAP, LLC EMLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP, and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail