Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”) are a group of man-made chemicals that contain nearly 5,000 different compounds. PFAS are ubiquitous and can be found in a variety of everyday products, including stain- and water-resistant fabrics and carpeting, cleaning products, cookware, paints, and fire-fighting foams.
While PFAS compounds remain largely unregulated at the federal level, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) has taken some steps to develop guidelines with respect to two PFAS compounds. In 2016, EPA issued drinking-water health advisories for the sum of PFOA and PFOS at 70 ppt. This remains the nonbinding standard for PFOA and PFOS at the federal level.
In the absence of federal standards, some states have developed their own PFAS drinking water standards. The following chart details state proposed and adopted drinking water standards or advisory levels for a variety of PFAS compounds.
Chart: State and Federal PFAS Drinking Water Standards – Updated 10/1/21
Sources: State Federal PFAS Drinking Water Standards – Updated 10/1/21