On June 15, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced new and revised health advisories for four per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The health advisories can be found by clicking here.
Interim Updated Lifetime Drinking Water Health Advisory:
- Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA): 004 parts per trillion (ppt) (updated from 70 ppt)
- Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS): 02 ppt (updated from 70 ppt)
Final Lifetime Drinking Water Health Advisory:
- Hexafluoropropylene oxide (HFPO) dimer acid and its ammonium salt (together referred to as “GenX chemicals”): 10 ppt. GenX chemicals are considered a replacement for PFOA.
- Perfluorobutane sulfonic acid and its related compound potassium perfluorobutane sulfonate (together referred to as “PFBS”): 2,000 ppt. PFBS is considered a replacement for PFOS.
PFAS are a large and diverse set of compounds used in many consumer, commercial and industrial products due to their properties, such as nonstick and temperature resistance.
These health advisories, which are not a law or regulation, reflect EPA’s view of best available science at the time, and may change as new information becomes available. The health advisories consider lifetime exposure and are aimed at assisting government officials and water systems in protecting public health.
There are potential PFAS health concerns, including some related to the immune system, cardiovascular system, cancer and human development. For more information, EPA has published questions and answers regarding the drinking water health advisories.
If you have questions about your drinking water, you can contact your local water utility or, if you own a home drinking water well, EPA includes the following links:
- https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water
- https://www.epa.gov/pfas/meaningful-and-achievable-steps-you-can-take-reduce-your-risk
States also are taking many measures related to PFAS. In Michigan, the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team website can be found by clicking here.
Senior AttorneyLaura L. Romeo is a senior attorney in the firm's Bloomfield Hills office and Co-leader of Plunkett Cooney’s Environmental & Energy Practice Group. Ms. Romeo has numerous years of experience focusing on environmental, energy ...
Add a comment
Subscribe
RSS Plunkett Cooney LinkedIn Page Plunkett Cooney Twitter Page Plunkett Cooney Facebook PageTopics
- Environmental Regulation
- Energy
- Renewable Energy
- Clean Water
- Environmental Liability
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Environmental Legislation
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Greenhouse Gases
- Great Lakes
- Waste Water
- Climate Change
- Oil & Gas
- Clean Air
- Public Policy
- Environmental Justice
- Contamination
- PFAS
- PFOS
- Carbon Neutrality
- Underground Storage Tanks (UST)
- Solar Energy
- Cannabis
- Regulatory Law
- Hazardous Materials
- Sustainability
- Fracking
- Solid Waste
- Natural Gas
- MDEQ
- Zoning and Planning
- Commercial Liability
- Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
- Lead-based Paint
- Invasive Species
- Infrastructure
- Transportation
- Shareholder Liability
- Biodiversity
- Michigan Environmental Protection Act
- Land Use
- Real Estate
Recent Updates
- Hydrogen – What is it Good for and Why Should I Care?
- What You Can do to Prepare for Likely Impacts of EPA's Proposed Rulemaking for PFAS Chemicals
- EPA Proposes to Treat PFAS Chemicals as Hazardous Substances
- Framing the Future – Bans on New Gasoline-powered Vehicle Sales, Turning Mandates Into Opportunities
- Environmental Protection Agency Issues New PFAS Health Advisories
- Electricity Transmission Success Story in Michigan
- Understanding Gas Price Components and Potential Relief Options
- FERC Incorporates Environmental Justice, Climate Change Considerations in its Policies
- PFOS Advisory Impacting Beef from Michigan Farm
- State Issues Draft MI Healthy Climate Plan, Seeks Public Comment