The Environmental Protection Agency announced interim health advisories for four perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that are substantially lower than the advisory levels issued by the agency in 2016.
The June 15 advisory includes non-enforceable lifetime drinking water health advisories for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and “GenX Chemicals,” and perfluorobutane sulfonic acid and its related compound potassium perfluorobutane sulfonate (together referred to as “PFBS”):
- Interim updated HA for PFOA = 0.004 parts per trillion (ppt)
- Interim update HA for PFOS = 0.02 ppt
- Final HA for GenX Chemicals = 10 ppt
- Final HA for PFBS = 2,000 ppt
The EPA’s previous HA from 2016 called for no more than 70 ppt for the combined concentrations of PFOA and PFOS.
The EPA will provide more details in a webinar at noon Eastern time (11 a.m. Central) on Thursday, June 23. You can register for the webinar here.
For more information on the Drinking Water HA for PFOA, PFOS, GenX Chemicals, and PFBS, visit the EPA Website or FAQs.
The EPA is expected to propose enforceable National Primary Drinking Water Regulations under the Safe Drinking Water Act for PFOA & PFOS in the Fall of 2022, with the final rulemaking expected by the end of 2023. The proposal will consist of both a non-enforceable Maximum Contaminant Level Goal and an enforceable Maximum Contaminant Level or Treatment Technique.
