EPA Introduces National Standard for PFAS in Drinking Water
The proposed standard is the first of its kind and would monitor several contaminants in public water systems.
Earlier this week, the Biden Administration announced the first-ever water standards for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). According to the regulation, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will require public water systems to measure for six types of PFAS considered dangerous pollutants and a threat to environmental health.
PFAS, also called forever chemicals, are a class of chemicals manufactured for consumer use and industrial applications like aviation, automotive manufacturing, and electronics. Their intrinsic properties make them perfect for repelling stains or infiltration by water, oil, and heat, which is a significant reason for their ubiquity in the environment. Over the seven decades since their creation, and through improper handling, the chemicals have spread and endured in the global water cycle.
Besides their ability to persist in the environment, PFAS also pose a growing health risk to humans and wildlife. High levels of the chemicals are thought to increase the risk of liver cancer and other health conditions. Research from the North Carolina PFAS Testing Network has linked PFAS exposure to several ailments, including increased cholesterol levels, reduced fertility, weakened immune system, increases in cancer risk, and poor developmental outcomes, along with other potential effects.
The EPA’s proposed PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation would impose legally enforceable limits on individual contaminants and health-based, non-enforceable contamination levels for six PFAS. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) would be legally limited to 4 parts per trillion (ppt) in drinking water and come with a proposed non-enforceable limit of 0 ppt. In addition, the rule would require public water systems to monitor for PFAS, notify the public of PFAS levels, and reduce the levels when they exceed proposed standards.
PFOS and PFOA are possible carcinogens used in industrial and consumer applications. PFOS were widely phased out in the United States by the early 2000s but persist in the environment and are used in foreign manufacturing.
President Biden’s announcement of the regulation included additional help for firefighters who come in close contact with the chemicals because of their inclusion in fire retardant materials. Aid would come in the form of a $370 million Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program that could be used to support cancer screenings, fitness activities, and other wellness initiatives.
The EPA supports activated carbon treatment, ion exchange treatment, and high-pressure membranes for removing PFAS from water. Some treatment plants already use activated charcoal to remove contaminants. Still, if the regulation is passed, treatment plants may need to implement more stringent cleaning mechanisms to remove lasting chemicals.
