Recent EPA Actions
The EPA regulates safe levels for hundreds of compounds in drinking water. The EPA developed a PFAS Strategic Roadmap in October 2021 to address the health risks and to set maximum contaminant levels for PFAS within the scientifically rigorous framework of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).
Recent actions include:
- In June 2022, the EPA issued a health advisory for certain PFAS compounds.
- In March 2023, the EPA issued proposed regulatory standards for six PFAS compounds.
- On April 19, 2024 EPA announced its final rule to designate two per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).
April 10, 2024:
EPA set its final rule setting drinking water standards for six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Much of the final rule remains unchanged from the proposed rule. The rule finalizes the proposed maximum contaminant level goals (MCLGs) and maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for both perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS).
The final rule also includes the hazard index approach for perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS), and hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA) as proposed; however, the MCL is set at 1 (as opposed to 1.0). Additionally, the final rule sets individual MCLGs and MCLs of 10 ppt for PFHxS, PFNA, and HFPO-DA.
Additional information from the EPA can be found here.