It will become regulation after a voting period of 60 days.
Key Takeaways
This article was originally published on June 24, 2022.
Why Are PFAS Dangerous?
Getty Images
PFAS are a class ofmore than 12,000chemicals commonly used because they can resist water, heat, and grease.
Thats something that regulators should be concerned about.
Its something that consumers should be concerned about.
And it should be spurring even more action to try and address our exposures to these chemicals.
Later this year, the agency will propose enforceable limits on PFAS in drinking water.
The regulations will likely go into effect by 2023.
Updating the health advisories is the first step toward more firmly regulating the chemicals.
The new health advisoriesset those limitsmuch lower, at 0.004 ppt for PFOA and 0.02 ppt for PFOS.
For the first time, the EPA announced additional health advisories for two chemicals, called GenX and PFBS.
These newer PFAS are chemically similar to PFOA and PFOS and are sometimes used in place of legacy PFAS.
The threshold for GenX is now at 10 ppt and PFBS levels are limited to 2,000 ppt.
The EPA said it expects to propose a national drinking water regulation for PFOA and PFOS later this year.
The final rule is expected in late 2023.
Last week, the EPAinvited states, Tribes, and territories to applyfor $1 billion of the funding.
Already, some states and water districts aresuing chemical companies, partially to offset the costs of clean-up efforts.
Bilott and other lawyers are tackling PFAS manufacturers in private courts.
you’re able to minimize your exposure byopting for productsthat are labeled PFAS-free.
Environmental Protection Agency.Questions and answers: drinking water health advisories for PFOA, PFOS, GenX chemicals and PFBS.
2020;7(8):532-543. doi:10.1021/acs.estlett.0c00255
