The Suncor refinery in Commerce City in June recorded PFAS “forever chemicals” in its discharge water into Sand Creek at more than 10,000 times the EPA health advisory level for the substance set last year, according to monthly reports to state health officials. The massive spike in the toxic chemicals used in waterproofing and stain-resistant coatings coming off Suncor’s compound last month dwarfed the previous high readings in the Sand Creek discharge. “Clearly, that treatment system isn’t preventing these large spikes in Suncor’s PFAS discharges, and Suncor still isn’t reliably controlling its discharges,” said Caitlin Miller, an Earthjustice attorney in Denver. One required PFAS mitigation should happen later this year, said Trish Oeth, Colorado’s director of environmental health and protection. “EPA is still working on developing additional PFAS regulations, but regardless, the state can and should ensure that communities are protected from pollution, like toxic PFAS from Suncor,” Miller said.

Source: Daily Sun July 28, 2023 21:10 UTC