WASHINGTON /PRNewswire/ — The Water Environment Federation (WEF) has expressed strong support for the reintroduction of the Water Systems PFAS Liability Protection Act. This bipartisan legislation, led by Reps. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA) and Celeste Maloy (R-UT), aims to protect water utilities from undue financial burdens associated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) cleanup under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). The bill ensures that PFAS producers, rather than the public, bear the cost of remediation.

“Water utilities and their customers should not be forced to pay remediation costs for issues they did not create,” said Ralph Exton, WEF’s Executive Director. “We applaud Representatives Gluesenkamp Perez and Maloy for their leadership in championing this critical legislation.”

The reintroduction of this legislation follows the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) designation of PFOA and PFOS – two PFAS chemicals – as hazardous substances under CERCLA. This designation compels water utilities nationwide to remove these chemicals from drinking water, a process that involves significant financial costs.

By classifying PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances, the EPA’s designation leaves water and wastewater utilities vulnerable to potential lawsuits from PFAS manufacturers. These entities may attempt to shift financial responsibility onto utilities through litigation, increasing operational costs that ultimately affect ratepayers.

“The Water Systems PFAS Liability Protection Act is a crucial step in ensuring that water and wastewater utilities — and, ultimately, the communities and ratepayers they serve — are not unfairly burdened with the costs of PFAS contamination cleanup,” said Exton. “These utilities are involuntary receivers of PFAS and did not create or profit from PFAS. However, without congressional action, they could be forced to bear immense financial and operational challenges.”

This legislation is necessary to protect utilities after their systems have been involuntarily affected by PFAS, but source control at the industrial and residential levels is a more efficient and cost-effective solution. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency found that PFAS can be bought for $50 – $1,000 per pound. However, it costs between $2.7M and $18M per pound to remove or destroy from municipal systems depending on facility size.

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Originally introduced in the previous Congress by Rep. John Curtis (R-UT), the bill received broad bipartisan support and remains an essential step toward ensuring fair and just accountability for PFAS contamination.

About WEF 
The Water Environment Federation (WEF) is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization of more than 30,000 individual members and 75 affiliated Member Associations representing water quality professionals around the world. Established in 1928, WEF’s mission is to inspire the water community in pursuit of human and environmental well-being. WEF’s goals are to attract and develop a passionate workforce, cultivate a purpose-driven community to sustainably solve water challenges for all, and lead the transformation to the circular water economy.

SOURCE Water Environment Federation

(Family Features) For health conditions with no cure, effective treatments are the next best option. However, in order to make medical interventions including new drugs, devices, vaccines and lifestyle modifications available, they must undergo a thorough evaluation process to demonstrate their benefits.

Clinical trials are an important part of this process because they provide data for researchers on the effectiveness of various treatments and interventions. However, many myths about clinical trials deter people from enrolling. In fact, more than 70% of clinical trials are delayed at least one month due to unfulfilled enrollment, according to the “Journal of Medical Internet Research.”

Delays create barriers to the drug approval process and result in fewer available treatments for chronic conditions like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. The experts at the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation offer these facts about the importance of clinical trials:

1. More patients can benefit from clinical trials While hundreds of participants may take part in a trial, the results can lead to new care and treatment options for an entire patient community.
    
2. Clinical trials lead to better and improved medications. For a new treatment to be approved, it needs to demonstrate a meaningful benefit to patients, such as improved outcomes, treating a wider range of symptoms, fewer side effects or more convenience for patients.
    
3. They provide information. Clinical trials provide evidence of a treatment’s effectiveness and safety that can be used to guide patient care.
    
4. Trials test safety and efficacy. Clinical trials are conducted in four phases. During the first phase, the main objective is to assess the safety of a new treatment. Experimental treatments only advance to the next stages if they pass certain safety and efficacy standards
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5. They help prevent bias. In a randomized controlled trial, the effects of treatment with a new drug are compared with that of a control group – either a placebo (a treatment that looks identical to the new drug but contains no active medicine) or the current standard of care. Treatment assignments are “randomized,” which means neither the trial doctors nor the participants choose which treatment each participant will receive.

How Clinical Trials Work
Before a clinical trial begins, a research team develops a clinical trial protocol. This is the research plan that describes who can join the trial, which treatments the participants will receive, what questions the researchers will try to answer, how long the trial will last and how participant privacy and safety will be protected.

Conducting clinical research relies on volunteer trial participants. Those interested in joining a clinical trial meet with clinical research professionals to discuss the trial, treatments, eligibility requirements and expectations.

Joining a Trial
If you are interested in participating in a clinical trial, do some research. Your doctor may not be aware of or proactively tell you about trials you may be eligible to join. If you find a clinical trial you may be interested in joining, discuss the trial with your doctor and other health care professionals on your research team.

Foundations supporting chronic conditions can be a good source of information. For example, you can learn more about trials affecting individuals with inflammatory bowel disease by exploring the Clinical Trials Community at crohnscolitisfoundation.org.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

SOURCE:
Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation

Planetary Parade

Astronomy enthusiasts and casual stargazers alike have something extraordinary to look forward to at the end of February. For one brief moment, on the evening of February 28, 2025, all seven planets—Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Venus, Neptune, Mercury, and Saturn—will align in the night sky, creating a captivating planetary parade. This remarkable event marks the last time such an alignment will be visible until 2040, making it an occasion not to be missed.

What to Expect

The planetary parade will unfold shortly after sunset, with each planet showcasing its brilliance against the backdrop of the evening sky. While most of these celestial bodies will shine brighter than even the brightest stars, Uranus and Neptune will likely require binoculars or a telescope for a better view.

Currently, six of the planets are already aligned, but stargazers will have to wait until February 28 for Mercury to make its debut just above the horizon. Dr. Christopher Barnes, a senior lecturer at the University of Derby, explains the visibility details: “Mars will appear in the east, Jupiter and Uranus in the southeast, and Venus, Neptune, and Saturn in the west.”

Viewing Tips

For those wishing to experience this cosmic event, the best time to observe will be just after sunset when the stars begin to appear. Dr. Barnes suggests that even people in urban areas, where light pollution is often an issue, will be able to see most of the planets. However, seeking a location away from city lights will enhance the viewing experience.

The Benefits of Stargazing

Beyond the thrilling visual spectacle, taking time to gaze upon the stars and planets offers numerous benefits for one’s mental and emotional well-being. Dr. Barnes points out that stargazing encourages mindfulness, allowing individuals to detach from the stresses of daily life. “Engaging with the night sky fosters a sense of peace, restoration, and perspective,” he says.

Future Events

After February 28, the next opportunity to see a planetary alignment of five or more planets will occur in late October 2028 and again in February 2034. However, another seven-planet alignment will not be witnessed for another 15 years, making this February a particularly special occasion.

To cater to those unable to view the parade due to unfavorable weather or light pollution, several observatories will provide live streams of the event. This means everyone can partake in this astral celebration from the comfort of their homes.

As we approach February 28, it’s time to mark your calendars for this rare planetary parade. Whether you grab your telescope, plan a trip to a dark-sky location, or tune in to a live stream, don’t miss your chance to witness this extraordinary alignment of the planets, a spectacle that will be remembered long after it fades from view. Prepare to look up and enjoy the wonders of our solar system!

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Resources:

Who doesn’t love a parade, especially a planet parade? How and when to see up to 7 planets

Planetary Parade will soon be visible in the evening sky

The science section of our news blog STM Daily News provides readers with captivating and up-to-date information on the latest scientific discoveries, breakthroughs, and innovations across various fields. We offer engaging and accessible content, ensuring that readers with different levels of scientific knowledge can stay informed. Whether it’s exploring advancements in medicine, astronomy, technology, or environmental sciences, our science section strives to shed light on the intriguing world of scientific exploration and its profound impact on our daily lives. From thought-provoking articles to informative interviews with experts in the field, STM Daily News Science offers a harmonious blend of factual reporting, analysis, and exploration, making it a go-to source for science enthusiasts and curious minds alike. https://stmdailynews.com/category/science/