National Tribal Water Council
PO Box 15004
Flagstaff, AZ 86011-5004
(480) 452-6774
Tribal PFAS Working Group
What is PFAS?
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals that were developed in the 1940s. PFAS are found in many elements within our environment including food packaging, commercial household products, and firefighting foam,
among others. PFAS are persistent chemicals and may accumulate in the human body for a long time. PFAS remain in the environment for a long period of time due to their strong chemical bonds. PFAS pose a risk to tribal lifeways, resources, and traditional foods.
Background
The Tribal PFAS Working Group (TPWG) formed in April 2020 to help address and reduce PFAS in Indian Country. The working group is comprised of members of the National Tribal Water Council, Tribal Science Council, National Tribal Toxics Council, Tribal Waste
and Response Steering Committee, and Tribal Pesticide Program Council.
The working group holds monthly meetings to discuss various activities that would help achieve its objectives and priorities, and at the same time learning and understanding the implications of PFAS in tribal communities. The TPWG developed an informational
flyer providing basic information on PFAS and where it can be found (to access click HERE).
2023 Working Group Priorities
The Tribal PFAS Working Group members reviewed and updated their key priorities for 2023 to continue researching the impacts of PFAs on tribes. The working group identified five (5) key priorities, which include the following:
Continue to identify tribes and coordinate with tribes that are currently impacted by PFAS.
Continue to develop and identify PFAS tools and resources.
Enhance and promote the Tribal PFAS Working Group’s webpage with current publications, presentation videos, research, and resources.
Advocate for rulemaking, research, and education actions, with attention to inclusion of tribal lifeways.
Develop and host informal tribal workshop series on PFAS issues.
A copy of the 2023 Tribal PFAS Working Group Priorities may be accessed by clicking HERE.
