Presented by The Florida Bar CLE Committee and the Environmental and Land Use Law Section
(part of the ELULS 2019-2020 Audio Webcast Series)
Tuesday, December 10th, 2019
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM (EST)
This program will provide a scientific and legal introduction to PFAS chemicals, explain why and how these chemicals are being regulated for the first time, and highlight potential uncertainties and risks that remain.
REGISTER BELOW:
$45 ELULS Members | $60 Non-Section Members
$31 Government Attorneys/Law Faculty
Coming Soon! Online Seminar On-Demand and Downloadable Audio Podcast
CLE Credits
CLER Program: General – 1.0
CERT Program: 1.0 (City, County, and Local Government Law, State and Federal Government and Administrative Practice)
Presented By: Chris Teaf, Ph.D. and Ralph DeMeo, Esq.
Chris Teaf is a Board-Certified toxicologist, risk assessor, and public health specialist. Chris serves as Director of the Florida State University Center for Biomedical & Toxicological Research, and as Director of Toxicology for Hazardous Substance & Waste Management Research.
Ralph DeMeo is a Shareholder with the Tallahassee office of national law firm Baker Donelson, practicing environmental, land use, administrative, real property, health and safety, and animal law, with emphasis in civil and administrative litigation.
Thousands of man-made compounds that fall under the “PFAS” umbrella (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, including PFOA, PFOS, and GenX) have been used over the last several decades as coatings in a variety of everyday household products, such as non-stick cookware, waterproof and stain-resistant fabrics, and food packaging, as well as an ingredient in firefighting foam. While a few of the compounds have been phased out, they do not break down in the environment and have the ability to travel through soil and water. Because of their widespread use, bio-persistence, and ease of transport, these compounds can now be found almost anywhere one chooses to look.
Per the Center for Disease Control, virtually everyone in the US has been exposed, and some level of PFAS can be detected in our blood. While the health effects from low level concentrations of PFAS chemicals are not yet fully understood, litigation and public interest continue to increase. State and federal agencies, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as well as the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), have taken notice and are beginning to move quickly in a conservative effort to help minimize human exposure despite scientific uncertainties. Using what it terms “provisional cleanup target” levels and “screening” levels for drinking water, irrigation water, groundwater, and soils, DEP is moving forward with initial investigations of firefighting training facilities, airports, wastewater treatment plants, and military facilities prior to development of new rules.
Given the desire by industry, local governments, and property owners for more certainty regarding potential liability associated with PFAS-related contamination and remediation that could be required, the Florida Legislature could weigh in during the upcoming session. To ensure that you and your clients keep current and know what to expect going forward, you should plan to listen to the live audio webcast or purchase the aftermarket online seminar on-demand, downloadable audio podcast, or CD.