Placing national and enforceable limits on PFAS in drinking water
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced national and legally enforceable levels for several per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that are found individually and as mixtures contaminating drinking water.
Citing research showing that there is no safe level of exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), they have set a maximum contaminant level goal, a non-enforceable health-based goal, at zero for these chemicals. The enforceable maximum contaminant level is set at four parts per trillion (4 ppt) - the lowest feasible level for effectively implementing the new drinking water standard.
For perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) and the “GenX Chemicals” - hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid and its ammonium salt, which were developed as a replacement for PFOA but have been shown to cause many of the same health problems, the maximum contaminant level is set at 10 ppt. This is equivalent to a few drops in an Olympic swimming pool.
Because PFAS are often be found together, and research shows they may have combined health impacts, EPA is also setting a limit for mixtures of two or more of these chemicals in drinking water. These standards are very low, and will be challenging to implement, but in EPA’s view are protective of public health.
PFAS have been used for decades to make fluoropolymer coatings, products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease, and water, and in firefighting foam. These “forever chemicals” break down extremely slowly – the carbon-fluorine bonds are resistant to degradation. They are now prevalent in the environment and they continue to contaminate drinking water. Many communities will need to install new infrastructure and treatment facilities to address this contamination. Through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the EPA is providing $10 billion to remove PFAS and other emerging contaminants. The EPA has also announced a framework for evaluating new PFAS, or new uses of existing PFAS, to ensure they do not pose risks to people’s health and the environment before they are approved for use.
Vireo conducts research, develop risk assessments as well as environmental health and safety (EHS) evaluations to support new product development, emerging contaminant reviews and site/process safety. We employ screening-level, quantitative and life-cycle approaches for chemicals, including PFAS. In addition, we incorporate cutting-edge science into safety assessments that address sources of uncertainty and perceptions of risk.
More information:
EPA second annual report on PFAS progress, December 2023
EPA PFAS Strategic Roadmap, October 2021