EPA Releases Revised Health Advisories for PFAS Substances in Drinking Water

Yesterday, June 15, 2022, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) released revised interim drinking water health advisories (HAs) for two per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) compounds: perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS). These new HAs replace—and are orders of magnitude lower than—those issued in 2016. The revised HAs are based on USEPA’s evaluation of new science indicating that negative health effects may occur with long-term exposure to extremely low concentrations of PFOA or PFOS in drinking water. The interim HAs for PFOA and PFOS are two to three orders of magnitude below the current reporting limits available from analytical laboratories.  

USEPA also issued final HAs for two other PFAS: hexafluoropropylene oxide (HFPO) dimer acid and its ammonium salt (“GenX chemicals") and perfluorobutane sulfonic acid and its potassium salt (PFBS), which are considered replacement compounds for PFOA and PFOS, respectively. 

These new HAs will remain in place until the USEPA establishes a National Primary Drinking Water Regulations. A list of questions and answers is published by USEPA here: Questions and Answers: Drinking Water Health Advisories for PFOA, PFOS, GenX Chemicals and PFBS | US EPA 

USEPA’s release of HAs comes one day after the Biden administration announced the first release of $1 billion in funding to States which are intended to be granted to local water systems to address the presence of PFAS. This $1 billion in funding is from the bipartisan infrastructure bill, the Infrastructure and Jobs Act, signed into law in 2021. 

Although HAs are not legally enforceable, Verdantas knows these newly released advisories have wide-ranging potential impacts for our clients. If you are a municipal or private water system or have questions about a state or federally regulated site assessment and remediation project, we can help. Contact your local Verdantas representative. You can also contact us via our website or email us directly at communications@verdantas.com and we'll connect you with one of our PFAS experts.  

Find more information related to the Revised EPA Health Advisories here: Drinking Water Health Advisories for PFOA and PFOS | US EPA