PFAS Publications

EPA Releases Final PFAS Aquatic Life Criteria and Benchmarks
On October 1, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finalized science-based water quality concentrations for 10 PFAS that will help states and tribes protect fish and other aquatic life as part of its PFAS Strategic Roadmap. The levels, referred to as water quality criteria and benchmarks, are not regulatory and are not required. States and Tribes can consider using them to develop water quality standards which inform the implementation of other Clean Water Act programs, like wastewater discharge permits. For more information, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/wqc/pfas-and-aquatic-life.

EPA Releases New Science-Based Recommendations to Help More States, Tribes, and Territories Reduce Exposure to PFAS in Fish
On July 11, 2024, the EPA published updated recommendations for contaminants that Tribal, state, and territorial fish advisory programs should consider monitoring in locally caught fish to protect public health. The EPA’s latest recommendations consist of two lists of fish tissue contaminants, both of which include several per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS). Please see the press release and view the lists of contaminants to monitor on the EPA’s website.

EPA’s Acute 6PPD-q and 6PPD Aquatic Life Screening Values for Freshwater
On June 3, 2024, the EPA's Office of Water (OW) developed acute aquatic life screening values for two widely distributed rubber-tire associated compounds, 6PPD-Quinone (6PPD-q) and 6PPD. The screening values are based on the latest scientific knowledge about the short-term (acute) toxicity of 6PPD-q and 6PPD to aquatic organisms, including sensitive species like coho salmon, in freshwaters of the U.S. For more information, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/wqc/aquatic-life-criteria-and-methods-toxics#acute.

EPA’s Final Rulemaking Designating PFOA and PFOS as a Hazardous Substance Under CERCLA
On April 19, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finalized a crucial rule to designate two widely used PFAS chemicals, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), improving transparency and accountability to clean up PFAS contamination in communities. To read the final rule, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/superfund/designation-perfluorooctanoic-acid-pfoa-and-perfluorooctanesulfonic-acid-pfos-cercla.

EPA’s Final PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation
On April 10, 2024, EPA announced the final National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for six PFAS. EPA finalized a National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) establishing legally enforceable levels, called Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs), for six PFAS in drinking water. PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, and HFPO-DA as contaminants with individual MCLs, and PFAS mixtures containing at least two or more of PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA, and PFBS using a Hazard Index MCL to account for the combined and co-occurring levels of these PFAS in drinking water. EPA also finalized health-based, non-enforceable Maximum Contaminant Level Goals (MCLGs) for these PFAS. For more information, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/sdwa/and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas.

Interstate Technology Regulatory Council’s Updated PFAS Guidance
In September 2023, the Interstate Technology Regulatory Council (ITRC) released an updated PFAS-1 Technical and Regulatory Guidance Document. The guidance includes case studies, stakeholder perspectives, and challenges in addressing PFAS. To access the document, please visit: https://pfas-1.itrcweb.org/.

EPA PFAS Strategic Roadmap 2021-2024
On October 18, 2021, the EPA released a PFAS Strategic Roadmap outlining an whole agency approach to address PFAS. The roadmap includes actions and commitments to safeguard public health, protect the environment and hold polluters accountable. To access the roadmap, please visit: www.epa.gov/pfas/pfas-strategic-roadmap-epas-commitments-action-2021-2024

EPA’s Fact Sheet: Human Health Toxicity Assessment for GenX Chemicals
In October 2021, the EPA released a fact sheet on its human health toxicity assessment for hexafluoropropylene oxide (HFPO) dimer acid and its ammonium salt, referred to as "chemicals." To access the fact sheet, click HERE.

EPA’s Issues in Food Waste Management Paper
In August 2021, the EPA released an issue paper on "Issues in Food Waste Management - Persistent Chemical Contaminants." The issue paper includes information on PFAS in food waste. To access the issue paper, click HERE.

For more information, please visit: www.epa.gov/land-research/food-waste-research

EPA’s Final PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation
On April 10, 2024, EPA announced the final National Primary Drinking Water Regulation that establishes legally enforceable levels for six PFAS. To learn more, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/sdwa/and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas#General.

Additionally, EPA developed a toolkit of materials, such as infographics and fact sheets, for public water systems, local officials, and other entities that need to communicate about PFAS and about EPA’s new drinking water limits on the six PFAS. To access the toolkit, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/sdwa/pfas-communications-toolkit