Register for EPA’s Upcoming Webinar: Heat Events & Indoor Air - Protecting Respiratory Health

Extreme heat is an indoor health risk — are you prepared?

View as a webpage / Share Heat Events & Indoor Air: Protecting Respiratory Health August 6, 2026 | 1:00 - 2:30 PM ET Learn why indoor air matters more than ever — register now for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s webinar, Heat Events and Indoor Air: Protecting Respiratory Health! Register for the Webinar Extreme heat events are a growing public health threat. When indoor temperatures rise, people can suffer from potentially deadly illnesses, including heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Rising indoor temperature is also associated with reduced air quality, adversely impacting respiratory health. Join EPA’s Indoor Environments Division for a timely webinar to learn how indoor environmental management strategies can moderate temperatures indoors during extreme heat events and reduce occupant health risks. From Outdoor Challenge to Indoor Protection Webinar attendees will learn how to: Identify key indoor environmental and building-related risk factors that contribute to heat exposure and adverse health outcomes, particularly for people at-risk from heat. Explain how temperature, humidity, ventilation and building characteristics influence respiratory health, heat stress and indoor air quality. Apply practical building science and indoor environmental management strategies — like passive cooling, shading, ventilation, filtration and active cooling — to reduce heat-related health risks in homes, schools and community settings. Asthma Community Network AsthmaCommunityNetwork.org is designed for community-based asthma programs and organizations that sponsor them — including representatives of health plans and providers, government health and environmental agencies, nonprofits, coalitions, schools and more. Subscribe for email updates from Asthma Community Network. Learn more about Children's Health and Healthy School Environments.

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EPA Seeks Public Comment on Draft Guidance for Reducing Risk from PFOA and PFOS in Biosolids to Make America Healthy Again

EPA released draft guidance to help wastewater utilities, landowners, and the public reduce risk from PFOA and PFOS in biosolids.

View as a webpage / Share News Release EPA Seeks Public Comment on Draft Guidance for Reducing Risk from PFOA and PFOS in Biosolids to Make America Healthy Again July 1, 2026 | Contact EPA's Press Office (press@epa.gov) WASHINGTON — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is releasing draft guidance to help wastewater utilities, landowners, and the public reduce risk from PFOA and PFOS in biosolids. This effort is part of EPA’s comprehensive, lifecycle-based strategy to address PFAS and Make America Healthy Again.   EPA is taking a radically transparent approach by ensuring robust input is gathered to inform next steps. EPA will solicit comment on the draft guidance for 60 days following publication in the Federal Register. Once the notice is published, comments can be submitted using Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2026-2509. The notice will contain additional information on how to submit a comment.    “One of EPA’s top priorities is to Make America Healthy Again, and reducing risk from PFOA and PFOS in biosolids is a critical part of that effort,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Jess Kramer. “This draft guidance will provide Americans with commonsense recommendations that can protect public health, while also supporting wastewater systems and beneficial use of biosolids when appropriate.”  The Trump EPA has gathered feedback from a wide range of stakeholders on this topic and recognizes the complexity associated with biosolids contaminated with PFOA and PFOS.  After reviewing extensive public input, EPA determined that the previous administration's Draft Risk Assessment relied on assumptions too disconnected from real-world conditions to give Americans clear, actionable information. The agency received comments that flagged that there are risks at trace concentrations near the limit of detection, levels lower than those already found in everyday soil and household products. They also commented that the assessment relied on a simplified, straight-line risk calculation that independent scientists have questioned. Commenters underscored the assessment leaned on data from atypical, industrially contaminated sites while overlooking newer research from communities where ordinary household biosolids have been safely land-applied for decades. The Trump EPA will now issue guidance to transparently gather important feedback and chart a path forward that helps protect Americans from exposure to PFOA and PFOS in biosolids. There is real concern from farmers and ranchers who want to ensure their land is as healthy and productive as possible. At the same time, wastewater systems need a path forward for managing sewage sludge and biosolids from the communities they serve. In keeping with common best practices, EPA’s draft guidance recognizes the importance of reusing biosolids through land-application. It also provides commonsense recommendations for how to reduce risk by avoiding land application of biosolids near waterways and on lands where children play, and also by avoiding using biosolids as fertilizer of crops that have higher risk of human exposure.   Background Defining Biosolids and Sewage Sludge When domestic sewage from households and businesses is sent to wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), the liquids are separated from the solids, producing a nutrient-rich product known as “sewage sludge.” In some instances, industrial wastewater is also conveyed to a WWTP and combined with domestic sewage. The terms “biosolids” and “sewage sludge” are often used interchangeably by the public; however, EPA typically uses the term “biosolids” to mean sewage sludge that is intended to be applied as a soil amendment or fertilizer and that has been treated to meet the requirements in EPA’s Clean Water Act (CWA) regulations.  Under existing federal regulations, biosolids can be applied to agricultural lands, forests, tree farms, golf courses, turf farms, and other types of land. Biosolids can also be bagged and sold at stores to the public, generally to be used on lawns or in home gardens. Biosolids generally are not used on specialty crops, such as fresh produce, and generally are used on crops where edible parts are not in contact with the soil. Some states, Tribes, or counties also have additional rules around the use of sewage sludge and biosolids.   Defining PFOA and PFOS   PFOA and PFOS are two chemicals in the larger class of PFAS. PFOA and PFOS persist in the environment for long periods of time and have been linked to a variety of significant adverse human health effects. Domestic production and import of PFOA has been phased out in the United States by the companies participating in the 2010/2015 PFOA Stewardship Program. However, quantities of PFOA may be produced, imported, and used by companies not participating in the PFOA Stewardship Program and some uses of PFOS may be ongoing. While statewide surveys have found that PFOA and PFOS have been detected at varying levels in sewage sludge, it is important to note that not all sewage sludge has been found to have detectable or elevated levels of PFOA or PFOS.  Learn more about Children's Health and Healthy School Environments.

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Upcoming EPA Tools & Resources Webinar: Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units (July 15)

Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units: A Key Resource and Partner in Improving Children’s Environmental Health

View as a webpage / Share EPA Tools & Resources Webinar Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units: A Key Resource and Partner in Improving Children’s Environmental Health Wednesday, July 15, 2026 | 3:00 - 4:00 PM ET Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units (PEHSUs) are a network of pediatricians, nurses, health educators, and other health professionals with expertise in the prevention, diagnosis, management, and treatment of health issues that arise from environmental exposures — from preconception through adolescence. For nearly 30 years, PEHSUs have helped countless children and their families address adverse health impacts resulting from environmental exposures through consultations, education, and outreach initiatives. PEHSUs are an important source of information — not only for healthcare providers, but also for parents, schools, childcare centers, local and state health officials. PEHSUs are located in each of the federal regions, which ensures that efforts are focused and specialized to the environmental issues of most concern to their respective communities. During this webinar, you will hear directly from PEHSU leaders and staff on case studies and other examples highlighting the type of work they do to protect children’s environmental health and safety including working with communities and local, state and tribal entities in their regions. Register for the Webinar Learn More About PEHSUs Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units (PEHSUs) work collaboratively to improve health systems to make communities safer for children and families. They provide community education and outreach, training for health professionals, and guidance and referrals. PEHSUs are supported by CDC's Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and EPA and managed by the Public Health Institute. Learn more about Children's Health and Healthy School Environments.

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This email was sent to iswanto.denny.awil@blogger.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: EPA Indoor Environments Division ·1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW · Washington, DC 20460