Battelle to guide medical device companies through regulations on ‘forever chemicals’

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Battelle’s longstanding research, laboratory analysis and consulting expertise in Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are being applied in a new capacity as the pervasiveness of the chemical class becomes better known and more broadly regulated.
 
From federal regulations such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) to state-specific and international existing or developing PFAS bans, medical device manufacturers are now facing mounting record-keeping, recording and reporting requirements regarding supply chain uses, production volumes and waste handling and disposal.
 
As regulations progress, device manufacturers may be challenged with reformulating products to eliminate or reduce PFAS content without sacrificing performance or safety. These companies may be faced with increased costs associated with compliance, encompassing testing, certification and potential redesign of products. In addition, there may be reputational risk as consumers and healthcare providers become more informed and concerned about PFAS.
 
Battelle’s team of experienced scientists and researchers has been studying PFAS for nearly two decades and has developed innovative solutions to advance the testing, analysis and destruction of PFAS. Battelle has developed PFAS Signature, a method for understanding source attribution and delineations to determine the fate and transport of these chemicals, as well as source tracking and differentiation of AFFF sources from non-AFFF sources. The insights this tool provides can help companies make better, more informed decisions. Battelle operates one of the leading PFAS testing facilities in the U.S. and is one of a limited number of laboratories accredited to test more challenging, non-traditional matrices for PFAS such as landfill leachate.

At forefront of site assessment and remediation for this emerging class of chemicals, Battelle conducts critical research to better understand the fate and transport of PFAS compounds and how contaminated sites can best be remediated to minimize and eliminate environmental and human health exposures.