Effects of ‘forever chemicals’ on agriculture topic of Oct. 18 NALC webinar
“While the data regarding the health impacts of PFAS is inconsistent, it is crucial that agricultural producers are aware of these chemicals.” — Kyla Kaplan
By Tru Joi Curtis
National Agricultural Law Center
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Oct. 4, 2023
Fast facts:
- Oct. 18 NALC webinar will focus on the challenges faced by agriculture due to PFAS contamination.
- Kyla Kaplan, Ryan Stifter, Chase Gerbig are presenting. Brigit Rollins is moderating.
- Registration is online.
(463 words)
Download related photos of Kaplan, Stifter, Gerbig, Rollins
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are chemicals once
widely used in food packaging, stain repellants for clothing, as well as automotive
and aerospace applications. In recent years, PFAS have become better known for presenting
an array of regulatory and environmental challenges for agriculture.
Because their extremely strong molecular bonds keep them from breaking down easily,
PFAS are often called “forever chemicals.” A 2015 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said PFAS could be found in the
blood of 97 percent of Americans. According to the Environmental Protection Agency,
their effects on health and the environment aren’t fully known.
PFAS contamination has hurt or closed scores of farms in Colorado, Maine, Michigan, and New Mexico.
In use since the 1950s, the Food and Drug Administration phased out use of PFAS for
food packaging in 2016.
Since then, “various state and federal agencies have taken action to address PFAS,”
OFW Law Associate Kyla Kaplan said. “It is important to understand the potential impacts
of PFAS regulations on food manufacturers and farmers.”
Kaplan, Roux Principal Ryan Stifter and Roux Principal Engineer Chase Gerbig will discuss PFAS
during NALC’s webinar, “Not Your Grandfather’s Corn Maze – Regulatory and Legal Responses
to Challenges Faced by Agriculture Due to PFAS Contamination.” The webinar will be
at 11 a.m. Central/noon Eastern on Wednesday, Oct. 18.
The speakers will cover:
- The basic chemistry of PFAS and how it intersects with agriculture
- Regulatory compliance challenges
- Types of PFAS litigation involving agriculture
- Potential consequences of contamination for property owners
“PFAS are often found in the environment,” Kaplan said. “While the data regarding
the health impacts of PFAS is inconsistent, it is crucial that agricultural producers
are aware of these chemicals. I am looking forward to sharing this important information
alongside a talented panel.”
NALC Staff Attorney Brigit Rollins, an expert in environmental law as it pertains
to agriculture, will moderate the webinar.
“PFAS are a complex and always-changing topic,” Rollins said. “With the potential
health risks and the possible impacts they have on agriculture, producers will benefit
greatly from the information provided in this webinar.”
The webinar is free of charge and registration is online.
“We are thrilled to have Kyla, Ryan and Chase discuss PFAS during this webinar,” NALC
Director Harrison Pittman said. “The topic of PFAS has had many recent developments,
including new guidelines, legislation and studies, so the information provided will
be extremely helpful to provide clarity on this issue.”
For information about the National Agricultural Law Center, visit nationalaglawcenter.org or follow @Nataglaw on Twitter. The National Agricultural Law Center is also on Facebook and LinkedIn.
For updates on agricultural law and policy developments, subscribe free of charge
to The Feed, the NALC’s newsletter highlighting recent legal developments facing agriculture,
which issues twice a month.
About the National Agricultural Law Center
The National Agricultural Law Center serves as the nation’s leading source of agricultural
and food law research and information. The NALC works with producers, state and federal
policymakers, Congressional staffers, attorneys, land grant universities, and many
others to provide objective, nonpartisan agricultural and food law research and information
to the nation’s agricultural community.
The NALC is a unit of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and
works in close partnership with the USDA Agricultural Research Service, National Agricultural
Library.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen
agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption
of best practices. The Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work
within the nation’s historic land grant education system through the Agricultural
Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas
System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is an equal opportunity/equal
access/affirmative action institution. If you require a reasonable accommodation to
participate or need materials in another format, please contact dviguet@uark.edu as
soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay.
# # #
Media contact:
Drew Viguet
Communications & Special Projects Coordinator
National Agricultural Law Center
dviguet@uark.edu