EPA: No Safe Level for Two ‘Forever Chemicals’

The U.S. EPA has sharply lowered safe-consumption levels for so-called “forever chemicals” — a nickname for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) — in drinking water. The agency is revising its health advisory for two types of PFAS (known as PFOA and PFOS) to near zero, while setting new drinking water advisories for two other types of PFAS (GenX and PFBS).

While not legally enforceable at this time, the new levels could have far-reaching effects on state drinking water regulations, according to reports. Last month, the U.S. EPA added five PFAS chemicals to a list used to determine if response or remediation activities are necessary. 6/15/2022