Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “PFAS Detection Act of 2018”.
PFAS Detection Act of 2018
A BILL
To require the Director of the United States Geological Survey to perform a nationwide survey of perfluorinated compounds, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Definitions
In this Act:
Administrator— The term Administrator means the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
Director— The term Director means the Director of the United States Geological Survey.
Perfluorinated compound—
In general— The term “perfluorinated compound” means a perfluoroalkyl substance or a polyfluoroalkyl substance that is manmade with at least 1 fully fluorinated carbon atom.
Definitions— In this definition:
Fully fluorinated carbon atom— The term fully fluorinated carbon atom means a carbon atom on which all the hydrogen substituents have been replaced by fluorine.
Non-fluorinated carbon atom— The term nonfluorinated carbon atom means a carbon atom on which no hydrogen substituents have been replaced by fluorine.
Partially fluorinated carbon atom— The term partially fluorinated carbon atom means a carbon atom on which some, but not all, of the hydrogen substituents have been replaced by fluorine.
Perfluoroalkyl substance— The term perfluoroalkyl substance means a manmade chemical of which all of the carbon atoms are fully fluorinated carbon atoms.
Polyfluoroalkyl substance— The term polyfluoroalkyl substance means a manmade chemical containing a mix of fully fluorinated carbon atoms, partially fluorinated carbon atoms, and nonfluorinated carbon atoms.
Sec. 3 Performance standard for the detection of perfluorinated compounds
In general— The Director shall establish a performance standard for the detection of perfluorinated compounds.
Emphasis—
In general— In developing the performance standard under subsection (a), the Director shall emphasize the ability to detect as many perfluorinated compounds present in the environment as possible using analytical methods that are as sensitive as is feasible and practicable.
Requirement— In developing the performance standard under subsection (a), the Director may—
develop methods to detect different perfluorinated compounds simultaneously;
develop methods to detect specific perfluorinated compounds, if the specific perfluorinated compound is difficult to detect using a method under subparagraph (A); and
coordinate as necessary with the Administrator.
Sec. 4 Nationwide sampling
In general— The Director shall carry out a nationwide sampling to determine the concentration of perfluorinated compounds in estuaries, lakes, streams, springs, wells, wetlands, rivers, aquifers, and soil using the performance standard developed under section 3(a).
Requirements— In carrying out the sampling under subsection (a), the Director shall—
first carry out the sampling at sources of drinking water near locations with known or suspected releases of perfluorinated compounds;
when carrying out sampling of sources of drinking water under paragraph (1), carry out the sampling prior to any treatment of the water;
survey for ecological exposure to perfluorinated compounds, with a priority in determining direct human exposure through drinking water; and
consult with—
States to determine areas that are a priority for sampling; and
the Administrator—
to enhance coverage of the sampling; and
to avoid unnecessary duplication.
Report— Not later than 90 days after the completion of the sampling under subsection (a), the Director shall prepare a report describing the results of the sampling and submit the report to—
the Committee on Environment and Public Works and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate;
the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives;
the Senators of each State in which the Director carried out the sampling; and
each Member of the House of Representatives that represents a district in which the Director carried out the sampling.
Sec. 5 Data usage
In general— The Director shall provide the sampling data collected under section 4 to—
the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency; and
other Federal and State regulatory agencies on request.
Usage— The sampling data provided under subsection (a) shall be used to inform and enhance assessments of exposure, likely health and environmental impacts, and remediation priorities.