In January 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency added 9 PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) chemicals to their Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) list.
Certain facilities will be required to report their use and disposal of these chemicals to the EPA each year, providing more transparency to the public on PFAS releases.
PFAS are used in countless products, ranging from firefighting foam to food packaging and nonstick pans. However, exposure to these chemicals has been linked to serious health risks, including over 10 different types of cancer.
The EPA added the following 9 PFAS to the TRI chemical list:
- Ammonium perfluorodecanoate
- Sodium perfluorodecanoate
- Perfluoro-3-methoxypropanoic acid
- 6:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonate acid
- 6:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonate anion
- 6:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonate potassium salt
- 6:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonate ammonium salt
- 6:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonate sodium salt
- Acetic acid, [(γ-ω-perfluoro-C8-10-alkyl)thio] derivs., Bu esters
Chemicals are added to the TRI list based on their toxicity, persistence in the environment, and potential for exposure. PFAS chemicals are often called “forever chemicals” because of their durability, allowing them to accumulate in the body and cause issues over time.
Overall, the TRI listing is a step toward reducing PFAS exposure risks by promoting accountability and transparency regarding these harmful chemicals.
If you or a loved one worked with PFAS chemicals as a firefighter and have since been diagnosed with cancer, contact Sokolove Law now.
TRI Chemical List Provides Transparency for Communities
Under the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, PFAS get automatically added to the EPA’s TRI chemical list once the agency reviews a chemical and assigns it a toxicity value.
When a chemical is added to the TRI list, facilities that use, process, or manufacture it in certain amounts must provide detailed reports to the EPA about their releases, transfers, and waste management practices.
By adding these 9 PFAS to the TRI, the EPA is taking steps to:
- Increase Awareness: Communities near industrial sites will have more information about PFAS emissions or discharges into the local environment, which will help them make informed decisions about health and safety.
- Protect Public Health: The availability of this data enables regulators and public health officials to monitor and address contamination more effectively, potentially leading to cleaner water and air.
- Empower Action: Local residents and advocacy groups can use the TRI data to push for stronger pollution controls, safer practices, or remediation efforts in affected areas.
“People have a right to know when facilities in their backyards are releasing toxic chemicals into the environment and with today’s action, we are providing important information about nine more,” said Michael Freedhoff of the EPA's Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention.
Although PFAS refer to a group of over 12,000 different chemicals, only 205 are currently included on the TRI list as “chemicals of special concern.” Seven PFAS were added to the list in 2024, marking slow progress toward long-term change.
To date, more than half of all state attorney generals across the country have filed lawsuits against manufacturers of PFAS products over the contamination of local communities. Billions of dollars have been paid out in PFAS settlements.
What Are PFAS and Their Risks?
PFAS are a group of synthetic chemicals widely used in industrial and consumer products because of their resistance to heat, water, and grease. These forever chemicals don’t break down naturally and can accumulate over time in water, soil, and living organisms.
Exposure to PFAS has been linked to serious health issues, making their environmental persistence and widespread presence a significant public health concern.
Diseases and cancers linked to PFAS exposure include:
- Bladder cancer
- Breast cancer
- Leukemia
- Liver cancer
- Lymphoma
- Multiple myeloma
- Pancreatic cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Renal or kidney cancer
- Testicular cancer
- Thyroid cancer or disease
- Ulcerative colitis
- Uterine or endometrial cancer
Since the 1960s, the military has relied on PFAS-containing firefighting foam known as AFFF to extinguish high-intensity fuel fires. As a result, military service was a common source of PFAS exposure for many veterans now battling cancer.
The U.S. Navy, in particular, has been a significant user of AFFF. Although the military has begun phasing out the use of firefighting foam with PFAS, some AFFF regulations don’t apply to naval vessels, meaning service members may still be at risk of exposure.
Sokolove Law: Seeking Justice for Firefighters Exposed to PFAS
At Sokolove Law, our AFFF lawyers can help firefighters with cancer and their families seek justice by holding manufacturers of dangerous PFAS products accountable.
We have over 45 years of experience standing up to powerful companies like Dupont and 3M, and our firm has secured more than $9.6 Billion in total results nationwide.
“I reached out to Sokolove Law about a lawsuit against chemical foam manufacturers. The process was easy and professional.”
– Joe M., Firm Firefighting Foam Client
If you have a case, we can handle every step of the legal process on your behalf. As a first responder, you worked tirelessly to protect others — now let us protect your rights and fight for you.
Call (800) 995-1212 now or fill out our contact form to get started. It costs nothing to speak with us.
