Glass Water

EPA Sets Precedent By Legally Enforcing Limits on Several PFAS Chemicals in Drinking Water

Apr 10, 2024 | Anu Varma

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), backed by the Biden-Harris Administration, finalizes first-ever National Drinking Water Standard to “Protect 100M People from PFAS Pollution.” This move marks the onset of legally enforceable regulations at the federal level to limit the spread of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), popularly called “forever chemicals” due to their ability to persist for decades in water sources and affect people’s health including but not limited to certain cancers, changes to liver and heart health, and developmental impediments in children. The announcement is the most significant public health action taken by EPA to advance the PFAS Strategic Roadmap.

According to the federal agency’s announcement, this rule:

  • sets limits for five individual PFAS: PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, and HFPO-DA (also known as “GenX Chemicals”).
  • sets a limit for mixtures of any two or more of four PFAS: PFNA, PFHxS, PFBS, and “GenX chemicals.”
  • enforces Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) at 4.0 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS individually, with a Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) at zero.
  • sets MCLGs and MCLs at 10 parts per trillion for PFNA, PFHxS, and “GenX Chemicals.”

Funding Announcement to Help Implementation of the new Standard: Nearly $1 billion through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is being made available to help states and territories implement PFAS testing and treatment for public water systems using available technologies and to help owners of private wells address PFAS contamination. Learn more at epa.gov/dwcapacity/emerging-contaminants-ec-small-or-disadvantaged-communities-grant-sdc.

Helpful Links:

  1. EPA’s PFAS drinking water regulation webpage where the agency will host webinars for public, communities, and water utilities about this regulation in coming weeks.
  2. The PFAS Communications Toolkit can help your health department communicate with the public about PFAS risks, exposure pathways, and this new regulation.
  3. The agency’s Water Technical Assistance Programs can be readily accessed by small/rural/disadvantaged communities to build capacity with identifying PFAS in multiple ways.

NACCHO logo small version02 square N pms321 Invert

About Anu Varma

Pronouns: She/Her

Anupama Varma is a Communications Specialist for Environmental Health at NACCHO.

More posts by Anu Varma

Related Posts

  • Tools & Resources Communications & Public Relations Public Health and Homelessness

NACCHO Social Media Strategy - National Public Health...

National Public Health Week (NPHW) was from April 1 to April 7, 2024. NACCHO...

Apr 11, 2024 | Emma James

NACCHO Social Media Strategy - National Public Health...

Stakeholder Conference Call on the FDA Integrated Food...

You’re invited to join the call on April 2 to hear more.

Mar 25, 2024

Stakeholder Conference Call on the FDA Integrated Food...

2024 Vector Workshop SM photo 1
  • Tools & Resources Extreme Weather Opportunity Technical Assistance

Join us in Florida for the 2024 Vector Control Hurricane...

An agenda-at-a-glance is now available.

Mar 12, 2024 | Anu Varma

Join us in Florida for the 2024 Vector Control Hurricane...

Produce vegetables grocery store i Stock 813211264
  • Food Safety & Inspection

Illinois Retail Program Standards Self-Assessment and...

A two-and-a-half-day, in-person workshop.

Mar 04, 2024 | Christina Rohland, Carolyn White

Illinois Retail Program Standards Self-Assessment and...

Vector control workshop 2019 4
  • Funding Opportunity Tools & Resources Opportunity Training

2024 Vector Control Hurricane Crisis Workshop:...

Local vector control programs in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, and...

Feb 08, 2024 | Anu Varma

2024 Vector Control Hurricane Crisis Workshop:...

Updates on Lead/Chromium in Applesauce: CDC Call on...

Join the CDC on February 8, 2024, at 2pm EST.

Feb 06, 2024

Updates on Lead/Chromium in Applesauce: CDC Call on...

Pool checklist
  • Tools & Resources Webinar Community Health Water Quality

[Webinar] Using Environmental Health Data to Inform Pool...

Model Aquatic Health Code Network Webinar - February 2024.

Jan 29, 2024 | Rebecca Rainey

[Webinar] Using Environmental Health Data to Inform Pool...

Doctor Research Tools Preparedness

Please Share with Clinicians: Updated PFAS Information...

Updated information for clinicians to consider when seeing patients who have...

Jan 18, 2024 | Guest Author

Please Share with Clinicians: Updated PFAS Information...

I Stock 1354439496
  • Tools & Resources COVID-19

Lessons Learned from NACCHO’s Wastewater Surveillance...

Read our new report to learn about the background and activities of each...

Jan 18, 2024 | Rebecca Rainey

Lessons Learned from NACCHO’s Wastewater Surveillance...

Back to Top