New Federal Rule Expands Toxic Chemical Reporting
Facilities must now track and disclose PFHxS-Na releases, bringing the total number of tracked PFAS substances to 206.
A new federal rule has added sodium perfluorohexanesulfonate to the Toxics Release Inventory, expanding the list of chemicals that industrial facilities are required to publicly disclose.
The chemical, known as PFHxS-Na, is part of the broader family of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These man-made compounds are often called “forever chemicals” because they persist in the environment and the human body without breaking down.
Under the new requirements, businesses in covered industries must track any use or release of the substance. Because the chemical is classified as a substance of special concern, it is subject to a lower reporting threshold of 100 pounds.
The reporting period for the chemical began Jan. 1, 2026. Impacted facilities must submit their first reports to the government by July 1, 2027.
“This addition ensures communities have the right to know what chemicals are being used and released in their neighborhoods,” said Doug Troutman, assistant administrator for chemical safety and pollution prevention.
The inclusion of PFHxS-Na follows a mandate established by Congress in the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act. That legislation requires the automatic addition of specific PFAS chemicals to the inventory each year. With this latest update, the number of PFAS substances tracked by the inventory has risen to 206.
The reporting program is designed to provide the public with data regarding how local facilities handle toxic chemicals, intended to support local decision-making and environmental transparency.
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Jesse Jacobs is Assistant Editor of EPOnline.com.
