PFAS
What are PFAS?
PFAS are perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, of which there are thousands of versions. PFAS substances have been used in a variety of everyday items, such as food packaging, waterproof products, firefighting foam, clothes, cosmetics, and many other items. These substances have been used since the 1940s, but because of advanced laboratory testing methods, have been found in soil, drinking water, and human blood. Although research remains ongoing about long-term health impacts, PFAS substances have been found to bioaccumulate, and some studies have linked certain PFAS compounds to health impacts such as low birth weight and cancer.
The most studied PFAS are perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS). Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) are the next most commonly studied PFAS substances. PFOA and PFOS have been phased out of production in the United States, but products manufactured in other countries can still contain these substances.
What Should I Know About PFAS?
PFAS can migrate into soil, water, and air. PFAS substances do not easily break down, so they can remain in the environment for many years. PFAS have been found in human and animal blood all over the world and are present at low levels in a variety of food products, cosmetics, carpets, detergents, and even rainwater.
There is much ongoing research about PFAS. Since PFAS substances are still considered emerging contaminants, continued research is needed to better understand full health impacts of PFAS exposure. As new kinds of PFAS substances are developed, additional research will also be necessary to understand potential exposure issues.
What Can I Do?
- Be informed. Try to narrow down what you’re using that may contain PFAS and if possible, reduce, replace, or eliminate its use.
- If you would like to sample water or other products for PFAS, it’s best to hire a qualified laboratory to collect the sample because it is extremely easy to contaminate a PFAS sample.
- Share Information. You can share this information with people you know to help spread awareness about PFAS. The resources on this page are meant to help spread available information.
- NEWEA has created a series of posters, buck slips, and a one-page informational sheet to share these messages. You can request to download the high resolution files here.
Where Can I Get More Information?
Because PFAS substances are still considered contaminants of emerging concern, there are various resources to learn more about PFAS. Members of NEWEA have compiled this list of resources. These are from a wide variety of sources, do not necessarily represent NEWEA or its membership, and are solely for the purpose of sharing available information.
A PFAS legislation tracking spreadsheet has been compiled and can be viewed at the following link.
Additionally, NEWEA’s Contaminants of Emerging Concern Committee has created a resource page with links to information about emerging and existing contaminants, including PFAS.
Fact Sheets, Reports, and Additional Information
- Water Environment Federation
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
- National Association of Clean Water Agencies
- Interstate Technology & Regulatory Council
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- Air Force Civil Engineer Center
- National Conference of State Legislatures
- Environmental Council of the States
- PFAS Studies and Resources
- PFAS Exchange’s How to Reduce Exposure to PFAS
- U.S. EPA’s Strategic Roadmap
Legislation, Policies, and Regulations
- General Search Results for Legislative PFAS Initiatives
- PFAS Action Act
- Keep Food Containers Safe from PFAS Act
- Designation of PFOA and PFOS as CERCLA Hazardous Substances – Federal Register
- EPA’s Interim Updated PFOA and PFOS Health Advisories
Fact Sheets, Reports, and Additional Information
- New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission
- Northeast Biosolids and Residuals Association
State-Level:
Connecticut has set drinking water action levels for PFOS, PFNA, PFOA, and PFHxS – see this link: https://portal.ct.gov/DPH/Drinking-Water/DWS/Per–and-Polyfluoroalkyl-Substances
Fact Sheets, Reports, and Additional Information
- Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
- Connecticut Water Environment Association
- Connecticut Department of Public Health
- Connecticut PFAS Municipal Planner
- Connecticut’s PFAS Action Plan
Legislation, Policies, and Regulations
Maine’s Interim Drinking Water Standard: 20 parts per trillion, sum of 6 PFAS – see this link: http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=SP0064&item=3&snum=130
Fact Sheets, Reports, and Additional Information
- Maine Department of Environmental Protection
- Maine Water Environment Association
- Maine Water Utilities Association
- Maine Farmland Trust
- University of Maine
- Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention
- Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry
- Maine’s PFAS Task Force Report
Legislation, Policies, and Regulations
- Maine Legislature
- Resolve, To Protect Consumers of Public Drinking Water by Establishing Maximum Contaminant Levels for Certain Substances and Contaminants (Maine’s interim drinking water standard for PFAS)
- An Act To Investigate Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Contamination of Land and Groundwater (PFAS soil and groundwater evaluation)
- An Act To Prevent the Further Contamination of the Soils and Waters of the State with So-called Forever Chemicals (PFAS sludge and sludge products ban)
- An Act Regarding the Statute of Limitations for Injuries or Harm Resulting from Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (Statute of limitations for injuries or harm from PFAS)
- An Act Regarding Uncontrolled Hazardous Substance Sites (Revision of definition of uncontrolled substances to allow for PFAS)
- Resolve, To Address Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Pollution at State-owned Solid Waste Landfills (Study PFAS management at state-owned landfills)
- An Act To Restrict the Use of Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Firefighting Foam (Restrictions in firefighting or fire suppressing foam)
- An Act To Protect the Environment and Public Health by Further Reducing Toxic Chemicals in Packaging (PFAS in Food Packaging)
- An Act To Stop Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Pollution (Regulation of PFAS in products
Massachusetts has set maximum contaminant levels for PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, PFHpA, and PFDA at 20 parts per trillion for public drinking water – see this link: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/per-and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas#drinking-water-standards-and-health-information-
Fact Sheets, Reports, and Additional Information
- Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
- Massachusetts Water Environment Association
- Massachusetts’ PFAS Interagency Task Force Report
Legislation, Policies, and Regulations
New Hampshire has set maximum contaminant levels for PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, and PFNA – see this link: https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt341/files/documents/dwgb-3-25.pdf
Fact Sheets, Reports, and Additional Information
- New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
- New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services
- Amherst’s PFAS in New Hampshire Fact Sheet
- New Hampshire Water Pollution Control Association
- New Hampshire Municipal Association
Legislation, Policies, and Regulations
Rhode Island has set PFAS drinking water standards for PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFHpA, and PFDA at 20 parts per trillion for public water supply systems – see this link: http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText22/SenateText22/S2298A.pdf
Fact Sheets, Reports, and Additional Information
- Rhode Island Department of Health
- University of Rhode Island’s Sources, Transport, Exposure & Effects of PFAS
- Rhode Island Clean Water Association
Legislation, Policies, and Regulations
Vermont has set maximum contaminant levels of 20 ng/L for the sum of five PFAS: PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFHpA, and PFNA – see this link: https://dec.vermont.gov/water/drinking-water/water-quality-monitoring/pfas
Fact Sheets, Reports, and Additional Informaiton
- Green Mountain Water Environment Association
- Agency of Natural Resources, Department of Environmental Conservation
- Vermont Department of Health
- Vermont’s PFAS Roadmap
Legislation, Policies, and Regulations
