USEPA announced on March 14, 2023, new shockingly low draft PFAS drinking water Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs). More information can be found here: https://www.epa.gov/sdwa/and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas
For PFOA and PFOS, the new draft drinking water MCLs are:
- PFOA = 4 ng/L (ppt)
- PFOS = 4 ng/L (ppt)
These are “near zero” concentrations, and only slightly above current laboratory detection limits for these constituents.
USEPA is also proposing the use of a Hazard Index (HI) for a mixture of four other PFAS compounds:
- PFNA
- PFHxS
- PFBS
- HFPO-DA (GenX)
When adopted (scheduled for late 2023), these MCLs and Hazard Index will not only dramatically impact drinking water regulations throughout the US, but also the regulations for other direct and indirect sources influencing drinking water supplies, including:
- Wastewater
- Biosolids
- Stormwater
- Soil & Groundwater
- Recycled Water
When adopted, states that have already adopted PFAS standards will need to modify them based on these more stringent standards, and the states that were waiting for this action by the USEPA will have to adopt PFAS standards for the first time.
EEC Environmental is tackling PFAS challenges for a variety of municipal and industrial clients throughout the US and is prepared to discuss how these new draft MCLs and hazard index may impact you. If you have any questions concerning these draft MCLs and Hazard Index or any other PFAS-related issue, please contact EEC’s CEO and Principal Chemist John Shaffer at (714) 667-2300 or jshaffer@eecenvironmental.com
