Facts About PFAS
Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Overview and Current Activities
PFAS are a group of over 6,000 man-made chemicals that have been manufactured and used in home consumer products such as carpets, clothing, food packaging, and cookware since the 1940s. Two of these compounds—perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS)—have been the most extensively produced and studied, and there is evidence that exposure to elevated levels of PFAS can lead to adverse health outcomes in humans.
Water utilities are “passive receivers” of PFAS. They do not produce or manufacture PFAS. Instead, these chemicals are present in source waters that are treated to produce drinking water.
Regulations for PFAS
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for setting regulatory limits under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. Currently, there are no approved federal water quality regulations for any PFAS compounds.
The EPA has taken some recent steps toward possible future regulation of PFAS:
- In February 2021, the EPA issued a final determination to regulate PFOA and PFAS in drinking water. The agency also proposed to require water utilities to monitor for 29 PFAS compounds in drinking water.
- In April 2021, the EPA announced it would form an EPA Council on PFAS to develop a national strategy to protect public health and make recommendations regarding PFAS.
- In October 2021, EPA announced the agency’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap, detailing the agency’s approach to addressing PFAS.
- In June 2022, the US EPA announced lifetime health advisory levels (HALs) for four PFAS chemicals. Interim HALs were announced for PFOS and PFOA. Final HALs were announced for perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS), and Gen-X (a PFOA replacement chemical).
- In August 2022, the US EPA announced a proposal to designate PFOS and PFOA as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).
- In March 2023, EPA announced proposed PFAS standards for 6 types of poly- and perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). Fairfax Water will evaluate the ability of our existing treatment processes to meet EPA’s proposed regulations. Click here to view Fairfax Water's statement on the proposed regulations.
EPA’s Proposed PFAS Standards
On March 14, 2023, the EPA announced its proposed national drinking water standards for 6 types of PFAS including proposed Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for PFOA and PFOS. The proposed standard also includes establishing a hazard index for a combination of four other PFAS compounds: perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA, commonly known as GenX Chemicals), perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), and perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS). The levels of the proposed standards are listed in the table below. For more information on EPA’s proposed standards, visit: https://www.epa.gov/sdwa/and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas.
The EPA will now take the next steps in the regulatory development process before the proposed standards are finalized. It is important to note that the proposed PFAS MCLs are not enforceable drinking water standards at this time.
Our data shows that the levels of PFNA, HFPO-DA (or GenX), PFHxS, and PFBS are all below the proposed MCLs. PFOA and PFOS results for Potomac treated water are less than the proposed MCL of 4.0 parts per trillion (ppt). PFOA and PFOS results for Occoquan treated water have been slightly above the proposed MCL of 4.0 ppt.
Fairfax Water is in the process of evaluating treatment processes that will ensure that our water will meet the proposed standards if they are approved. We are also working with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and other agencies to identify possible sources of PFAS in the watershed.
Compound | Proposed Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) | Proposed MCL | Potomac Finished Water Results Range (Treated Water) | Occoquan Finished Water Results Range (Treated Water) |
---|---|---|---|---|
PFNA PFHxS PFBS HFPO-DA (GenX) |
1.0 (unitless) Hazard Index | 1.0 (unitless) Hazard Index | <1 | <1 |
PFOA | Zero | 4.0 ppt | Non-detect to 1.9 ppt | 4.3 to 5.8 ppt |
PFOS | Zero | 4.0 ppt | Non-detect to 2.6 | 3.7 to 5.1 ppt |
For a detailed report of all Fairfax Water PFAS data, click here. More data will be posted as it is collected.
Health Advisories for PFAS
Unlike EPA regulations, EPA's health advisories (HA) are non-enforceable and non-regulatory and provide technical information to state agencies and other public health officials. Results greater than the HA do not mean that there is an emergency, violation, or an immediate health concern for customers. EPA’s health advisory levels offer information that may be used to protect people from adverse health effects resulting from exposure throughout their lives to contaminants in drinking water.
In 2016, the EPA HA was 70 parts ppt for PFOA and PFOS combined. Since then, analytical methods have improved, and utilities are now able to test down to lower levels. In June of 2022, EPA issued final HAs for PFBS and HPFO-DA (or GenX) and interim HAs for PFOS and PFOA. The EPA states that these interim health advisories will remain in place until EPA establishes a National Primary Drinking Water Regulation. The new HAs are listed in the table below. For more information on these HAs, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/sdwa/questions-and-answers-drinking-water-health-advisories-pfoa-pfos-genx-chemicals-and-pfbs#q9.
Analyte | 2022 HA Level | Type of HA |
---|---|---|
PFBS | 2,000 ppt | Final |
HFPO-DA (GenX) | 10 ppt | Final |
PFOS | 0.02 ppt* | Interim |
PFOA | 0.004 ppt* | Interim |
* At this time, the minimum reporting level (the lowest level that instruments can detect) is 4 ppt, therefore results cannot be quantified down to the EPA’s Interim HAL for PFOS and PFOA.
Fairfax Water PFAS Analysis
To continue to build our understanding of PFAS occurrence, Fairfax Water commissioned voluntary testing starting in April 2021 with an independent lab using current EPA-approved methods that can detect PFAS at much lower concentrations than previous methods. Fairfax Water also participated in the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Occurrence Study that was completed in 2021. Additional voluntary PFAS occurrence testing will occur in 2023.
What do Fairfax Water’s PFAS Results show?
For a detailed report of all Fairfax Water PFAS data, click here. More data will be posted as it is collected.
Below is a summary of all Fairfax Water PFAS Data, analyzed using EPA Method 533:
Analyte | Potomac Finished Water Results Range (Treated Water) | Occoquan Finished Water Results Range (Treated Water) | EPA’s 2022 HA level |
---|---|---|---|
PFBS | non-detect to 2.7 ppt | 3.9 to 6.8 ppt | 2,000 ppt |
HFPO-DA (GenX) | all results were non-detect | all results were non-detect | 10 ppt |
PFOS | non-detect to 2.6 ppt | 3.7 to 5.1 ppt | 0.02 ppt |
PFOA | non-detect to 1.9 ppt | 4.3 to 5.8 ppt | 0.004 ppt |
Summary:
- PFBS – all results are less than the HA level.
- HFPO-DA (GenX) – all results are non-detect.
- PFOS and PFOA
- Some of Fairfax Water’s results are above EPA’s 2022 HA levels.
- At this time, the lowest level that instruments can detect is 2 ppt, therefore results cannot be quantified down to the EPA’s Interim HA levels for PFOS and PFOA.
- If results are above the 2022 HA level, what does that mean for customers?
- This is not an emergency or a regulatory violation. If it had been, customers would have been notified within 24 hours.
- If you are concerned about potential health effects from exposure to these PFAS above the health advisory level, EPA encourages you to contact your doctor or health care professional.
- At this time, EPA is not recommending bottled water for communities based solely on concentrations of these chemicals in drinking water that exceed the health advisory levels.
Fairfax Water’s Next Steps
- We are following the guidance of EPA and VDH Office of Drinking Water.
- Our voluntary PFAS occurrence testing will continue in 2023.
- We will also be collecting PFAS samples in 2024 for the EPA’s Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5).
- We await further guidance and will take action if necessary to meet future state and federal regulations when they are finalized.
Reducing Your Exposure to PFAS
- Support efforts to protect drinking water sources and keep PFAS out of water supplies.
- Read ingredient lists and choose products without PTFE or perfluoro- or polyfluor- in their names. Many companies are working to remove PFAS from their products; however, until the removal is complete, products including nonstick cookware (e.g., Teflon™), stain repellants (e.g., Scotchgard™), and water proofing (e.g., GORE-TEX™) may have PFAS. PFAS are also found in certain types of dental floss, nail polish, facial moisturizers, eye make-up, and more. Here are a few PFAS ingredients to avoid:
- polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)
- perfluorononyl dimethicone
- perfluorodecalin
- C9-15 fluoroalcohol phosphate
- octafluoropentyl methacrylate
- perfluorohexane
- pentafluoropropane
- polyperfluoroethoxymethoxy difluoroethyl peg phosphate
- polyperfluoroethoxymethoxy peg-2 phosphate
- methyl perfluorobutyl ether
- perfluorononylethyl carboxydecyl Peg-10 dimethicone
- perfluorodimethylcyclohexane
- Cook with stainless steel, cast-iron, glass, or ceramics. Try not to use nonstick cookware.
- Look for coats, hats, and boots labeled “water-resistant.” They are less likely to have PFAS than waterproof products.
- Avoid ordering food in grease-resistant wrappers or containers.
- Avoid carpets and upholstery treated to be stain or water-resistant; decline stain treatment.
- Ask manufacturers if their products have PFAS. These chemicals are often not listed. However, given that many PFAS cannot be measured yet, products cannot be confirmed “PFAS-free.”
Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Occurrence Study
Two bills passed in Virginia in 2020 (HB 586 and HB 1257) direct the VDH Office of Drinking Water (ODW) to study the occurrence, health effects, and treatability of PFAS compounds in public drinking water, and to adopt Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for several of those compounds. In 2021, ODW collected and analyzed samples in source water and finished water at the 17 largest waterworks (including Fairfax Water) across the state. Results are available on the VDH website here.
Additional Information
- EPA’s PFAS Information: https://www.epa.gov/pfas
- EPA’s Questions and Answers: Drinking Water Health Advisories for PFOA, PFOS, GenX Chemicals and PFBS: https://www.epa.gov/sdwa/questions-and-answers-drinking-water-health-advisories-pfoa-pfos-genx-chemicals-and-pfbs#q9
- Virginia Department of Health: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/drinking-water/pfas/
- Center for Disease Control (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/biomonitoring/PFAS_FactSheet.html
- American Water Works Association (AWWA): https://drinktap.org/Water-Info/Whats-in-My-Water/Per-and-Polyfluoroalkyl-Substances
Updated September 20, 2023
Title
What is a drinking water health advisory?
A health advisory provides information on a contaminant that can cause negative human health effects and is known or anticipated to occur in drinking water. EPA's health advisories are non-enforceable and non-regulatory. They provide technical information to drinking water system operators, as well as federal, state, Tribal, and local officials, on the health effects, analytical methods, and treatment technologies associated with drinking water contaminants. This health effects information includes the concentrations of such drinking water contaminants (the health advisory “levels” or “values”) at which adverse health effects are not anticipated to occur over specific exposure durations, such as one-day, 10-days or a lifetime.
EPA’s health advisory levels offer information that may be used to protect people from adverse health effects resulting from exposure throughout their lives to contaminants in drinking water.
Title
What are PFAS? What are PFOA, PFOS, GenX chemicals, and PFBS?
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large and diverse group of chemicals used in many commercial applications due to their unique properties, such as resistance to high and low temperatures, resistance to degradation, and nonstick characteristics. Although PFAS have been manufactured and used broadly in commerce since the 1940s, concern over potential adverse effects on human health grew in the early 2000s with the detection of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in human blood. Since that time, hundreds of different PFAS have been found in water, soil, and air. Many PFAS are made up of long chains of carbon-fluorine bonds, such as PFOA and PFOS, are environmentally persistent, bioaccumulative, and remain in human bodies for a long time.
Most uses of PFOA and PFOS were voluntarily phased out by U.S. manufacturers in the mid-2000s, although there are a limited number of ongoing uses, and these chemicals remain in the environment due to their persistence and lack of degradation. In addition, some newer PFAS in use break down into PFOA and PFOS.
PFAS made up of fewer carbon atoms, such as hexafluoropropylene oxide (HFPO) dimer acid and its ammonium salt (together referred to as “GenX chemicals”) and perfluorobutane sulfonic acid and its related compound potassium perfluorobutane sulfonate (together referred to as “PFBS”), were developed to replace PFOA and PFOS, respectively, and are used to make various consumer products and in industrial applications because they confer the similar desired properties and characteristics but are more quickly eliminated from the human body than PFOA and PFOS.
Title
What health effects are the basis for these health advisories?
The interim updated health advisories for PFOA and PFOS are based on human epidemiology studies in populations exposed to these chemicals. Based on the new data and EPA’s draft analyses, the levels at which negative health effects could occur are much lower than previously understood when EPA issued the 2016 health advisories for PFOA and PFOS (70 parts per trillion or ppt) – including near zero for certain health effects.
Human studies have found associations between PFOA and/or PFOS exposure and effects on the immune system, the cardiovascular system, human development (e.g., decreased birth weight), and cancer. The most sensitive non-cancer effect and the basis for the interim updated health advisories for PFOA and PFOS is suppression of vaccine response (decreased serum antibody concentrations) in children. (If you have questions about PFAS and COVID-19 vaccines please see question 13, below.) EPA has not derived a cancer risk concentration in water for PFOA or PFOS at this time because the cancer analyses are ongoing.
The final health advisories for GenX chemicals and PFBS are based on animal toxicity studies following oral exposure to these chemicals. GenX chemicals have been linked to health effects on the liver, the kidney, the immune system, and developmental effects, as well as cancer. The most sensitive non-cancer effect and the basis for the final health advisory for GenX chemicals is a liver effect (constellation of liver lesions). There is suggestive evidence of carcinogenic potential of oral exposure to GenX chemicals, but there are not sufficient data to calculate a cancer risk concentration in water for GenX chemicals at this time. Animal studies following oral exposure to PFBS have shown health effects on the thyroid, reproductive organs and tissues, developing fetus, and kidney. The most sensitive non-cancer effect and the basis for the final health advisory for PFBS is a thyroid effect (decreased serum total thyroxine). There are no known studies evaluating potential cancer effects of PFBS so the potential for cancer effects after PFBS exposure could not be evaluated.
Title
What is a lifetime health advisory?
EPA’s lifetime health advisories identify levels to protect all people, including sensitive populations and life stages, from adverse health effects resulting from exposure throughout their lives to these PFAS in drinking water. The health advisory levels were calculated to offer a margin of protection against adverse health effects. EPA’s lifetime health advisories also take into account other potential sources of exposure to these PFAS beyond drinking water (for example, food, air, consumer products, etc.), which provides an additional layer of protection.
Title
What are the interim updated health advisory levels for PFOA and PFOS and the final health advisory levels for GenX chemicals and PFBS?
EPA’s lifetime health advisory levels, measured in parts per trillion (ppt), offer protection for people from adverse health effects resulting from exposure throughout their lives to these individual PFAS in drinking water:
- Interim updated health advisory for PFOA = 0.004 ppt
- Interim updated health advisory for PFOS = 0.02 ppt
- Final health advisory for GenX chemicals = 10 ppt
- Final health advisory for PFBS = 2,000 ppt
Title
My water has measurable levels of PFOA/PFOS or GenX chemicals/PFBS in it at levels above the health advisory:
Should I be concerned about my health?
EPA’s lifetime health advisory levels offer information that indicates the safe levels of exposure to these individual PFAS (PFOA, PFOS, GenX Chemicals, and PFBS) through drinking water over the course of a person’s lifetime, to avoid adverse health effects. It is important to note that lifetime health advisories are calculated to offer a margin of protection that also takes into account exposure through other sources beyond drinking water. If you are concerned about potential health effects from exposure to these PFAS above the health advisory level, EPA encourages you to contact your doctor or health care professional.
Should I stop breastfeeding my infant?
The World Health Organization, U.S. Surgeon General, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, among others, believe the advantages of breastfeeding greatly outweigh the potential risks in nearly every circumstance. EPA encourages women and people who are currently pregnant, nursing, or bottle feeding an infant with formula to consult with their physician regarding concerns related to breastfeeding and potential exposure to chemicals such as PFAS. For more information about PFAS and breastfeeding, visit the CDC’s (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry) webpage on PFAS and Breastfeeding.
Is my water safe for bathing/showering?
EPA’s health advisories are primarily focused on drinking water ingestion, not exposure through skin or breathing. However, they account for a margin of safety for other potential exposure sources, such as through skin (dermal), breathing (inhalation), dietary exposure, consumer products, etc. Studies have shown that only a small amount of PFAS can get into your body through skin.
Can PFAS be boiled out of my water?
No. PFAS cannot be removed by heating or boiling water.
Should I drink bottled water?
At this time, EPA is not recommending bottled water for communities based solely on concentrations of these chemicals in drinking water that exceed the health advisory levels. If you are concerned about PFAS in your tap water, EPA recommends you contact your local water utility to see whether they can provide any specific recommendations for your community. EPA notes that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not established standards for PFAS in bottled water at this time. If you have questions about bottled water, please contact the FDA.
We know that the lower the levels of PFOA and PFOS, the lower the risk. Therefore, EPA recommends that communities and water systems that measure any levels of PFOA or PFOS or that measure Gen X chemicals or PFBS at levels higher than the health advisory levels inform their customers and consider taking actions to reduce PFAS levels in their drinking water by installing treatment technologies or obtaining a new uncontaminated source of drinking water, if available.
Individuals who are concerned about PFAS in their wells or in their homes may consider in-home water treatment filters that are certified to lower the levels of PFAS in water. You can find more about these filters at: https://www.epa.gov/sciencematters/epa-researchers-investigate-effectiveness-point-usepoint-entry-systems-remove-and. If you are concerned about potential health effects from exposure to these PFAS above the health advisory level, contact your doctor or health care professional.
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What are the lowest levels that PFOA, PFOS, GenX chemicals and PFBS can be reliably measured in water, and how do those levels compare to the health advisories?
Based on current methods, the health advisory levels for PFOA and PFOS are below the level of both detection (determining whether or not a substance is present) and quantitation (the ability to reliably determine how much of a substance is present). This means that it is possible for PFOA or PFOS to be present in drinking water at levels that exceed health advisories even if testing indicates no level of these chemicals.
Based on current methods, the health advisory levels for GenX chemicals and PFBS are above both the detection and quantitation levels, and therefore can be reliably measured using specified analytical methods in appropriate laboratory settings. Please see the below table for more information.
In EPA’s fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 5), the agency established minimum reporting levels (MRLs) for the UCMR 5 contaminants, including 29 PFAS chemicals. EPA establishes MRLs to ensure consistency in the quality of the information reported to the agency. The MRL is the minimum quantitation level that, with 95 percent confidence, can be achieved by capable analysts at 75 percent or more of the laboratories using a specified analytical method (recognizing that individual laboratories may be able to measure at lower levels). The UCMR 5 MRLs for these four PFAS and the health advisories are summarized in the table below:
Chemical | Minimum Reporting Level (ppt) | Lifetime Health Advisory Level (ppt) |
---|---|---|
PFOA | 4 | 0.004 (Interim) |
PFOS | 4 | 0.02 (Interim) |
GenX Chemicals | 5 | 10 (Final) |
PFBS | 3 | 2,000 (Final) |
Title
Is EPA going to establish a national drinking water regulation for PFOA, PFOS and additional PFAS?
EPA is developing a proposed National Drinking Water Regulation for publication. As EPA undertakes this action, the agency is also evaluating additional PFAS and considering regulatory actions to address groups of PFAS. EPA anticipates finalizing the rule by the end of 2023. The proposal will include both a non-enforceable Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) and an enforceable standard, or Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) or Treatment Technique.
The MCLG is the maximum level of a contaminant in drinking water at which no known or anticipated adverse effect on the health of persons would occur, allowing an adequate margin of safety. The enforceable standard is set as close as feasible to MCLG. EPA considers the ability to measure and treat a contaminant as well as costs and benefits in setting the enforceable standard. For more information visit: https://www.epa.gov/sdwa/how-epa-regulates-drinking-water-contaminants.
Title
What’s the difference between an “interim” and a “final” health advisory?
EPA issues an interim health advisory when a contaminant’s associated health effects assessment is in draft form, but there is a pressing need to provide information to public health officials prior to finalization of the health effects assessment.
The PFOA and PFOS interim health advisories are intended to be in place during the time interval between initial understanding of health effects and publication of the final health advisory or maximum contaminant level goal (MCLG) and National Primary Drinking Water Regulation. EPA anticipates proposing a National Primary Drinking Water Regulation by the end of 2022 and finalizing it by the end of 2023. In contrast, final health advisories are based on final health effects assessments.
Title
Why is EPA issuing Interim updated health advisories based on draft health assessments for PFOA and PFOS instead of waiting until those assessments are final?
Consistent with EPA’s mission and responsibility to protect public health, EPA is issuing these interim health advisories for PFOA and PFOS to help inform the public of new scientific information on these chemicals’ health effects.
EPA continues to conduct extensive evaluations of human epidemiological and experimental animal study data to support the development of a National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for PFOA and PFOS. In November 2021, EPA released draft updated health effects analyses for PFOA and PFOS; these analyses are undergoing Science Advisory Board (SAB) review. EPA evaluated over 400 peer-reviewed studies published since 2016 and used new approaches, tools, and models to identify and evaluate the information. Based on the new data and draft analyses, the levels at which negative health effects could occur are much lower than previously understood when EPA issued the 2016 Health Advisories for PFOA and PFOS (70 ppt) – including near zero for certain health effects.
In light of this new information, including peer-reviewed scientific studies, EPA also announced in November 2021 that the agency would move quickly to update the 2016 Health Advisories for PFOA and PFOS to reflect the new science and draft EPA analyses. To deliver on this commitment, EPA is issuing interim updated health advisories based on the draft 2021 analyses that are undergoing review by the SAB. The interim health advisories replace the 2016 final health advisories for PFOA and PFOS. EPA is working hard to review and respond to the draft SAB comments as the agency moves forward to develop Maximum Contaminant Level Goals (MCLGs) to support the development of a National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for PFOA and PFOS. At that time, EPA may update or remove the interim health advisories for PFOA and PFOS based on the best available science. Because the available health effects data indicate a number of different adverse effects resulting from exposure to very low levels of PFOA or PFOS, the health-based water values (health advisories and MCLGs) are likely to remain below the detection limit.
Title
How can I find out if there are PFAS in my drinking water?
If you are concerned about PFAS in your drinking water, EPA recommends you contact your local water utility to learn more about your drinking water and to see whether they have monitoring data for PFAS or can provide any specific recommendations for your community.
If you own a home drinking water well, EPA recommends learning more about how to protect and maintain your well for all contaminants of concern. For information on home drinking water wells visit: www.epa.gov/safewater. For more information about PFAS in home drinking water wells visit: https://www.epa.gov/pfas/meaningful-and-achievable-steps-you-can-take-reduce-your-risk
Title
If the health advisory levels for PFOA and PFOS are so low they cannot be measured, how will I know if there are health risks from drinking water in which these contaminants are not detected?
The lower the levels of PFOA and PFOS, the lower the risk. This means that while PFOA and PFOS may be present in drinking water in trace concentrations that cannot be measured, water provided by these systems that test but do not detect PFOA or PFOS is of lower risk than if they are found at measurable levels.
EPA recommends that public water systems that find PFOA or PFOS in their drinking water take steps to inform customers, undertake additional sampling to assess the level, scope, and source of contamination, and examine steps to limit exposure. While water systems may not be able to eliminate all risks from PFOA and PFOS, they can successfully reduce those risks.
Title
The interim lifetime health advisories for PFOA and PFOS indicate that the most sensitive non-cancer effect is suppression of vaccine response in children. Does this mean that vaccines for COVID-19 may be less effective for me or my child?
The studies that were the basis for these health advisory levels investigated the impacts of PFOA and PFOS exposure on children’s response to the tetanus and the diphtheria vaccines. It is important to note that these studies did not measure infection or illness rates, only response to vaccinations. The available studies suggest that PFOA or PFOS exposure at specific life stages and dose levels may affect the ability of children or adults to respond to vaccines, in general. However, the scientific literature review did not include studies that assessed the impact of these chemical exposures on response specifically to vaccines against COVID-19 infection or illness rates.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) has released the following statement on the health effects of PFAS and COVID-19.
“CDC/ATSDR understands that many of the communities we are engaged with are concerned about how PFAS exposure may affect their risk of COVID-19 infection. We agree that this is an important question. CDC/ATSDR recognizes that exposure to high levels of PFAS may impact the immune system. There is evidence from human and animal studies that PFAS exposure may reduce antibody responses to vaccines (Grandjean et al., 2017, Looker et al., 2014), and may reduce infectious disease resistance (NTP, 2016). Because COVID-19 is a new public health concern, there is still much we don’t know. More research is needed to understand how PFAS exposure may affect illness from COVID-19.”
Title
Is EPA working to develop laboratory methods able to quantify PFAS below 4ppt?
EPA continues to conduct research and monitor advances in testing technology, methods, and techniques that may improve our ability to measure PFAS at lower levels. A list of laboratories that met the fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 5) laboratory approval program application and proficiency testing criteria for methods 533 and 537.1 is available at https://www.epa.gov/dwucmr/list-laboratories-approved-epa-fifth-unregulated-contaminant-monitoring-rule-ucmr-5.
Title
What treatment technologies exist to remove PFOA, PFOS, GenX chemicals, and PFBS?
Activated carbon, anion exchange and high-pressure membranes have all been demonstrated to remove PFAS from drinking water systems. These treatment technologies can be installed at a water system’s treatment plant and are also available in-home filter options. Each of the four Health Advisory documents identifies the treatment technologies that have been demonstrated to remove the specific PFAS and the factors that impact performance of the technologies. Learn more about these treatment technologies.
Title
Besides drinking water, how else can people be exposed to [PFOA/PFOS/GenX chemicals/PFBS]?
PFOA and PFOS were widely used to make carpets, clothing, fabrics for furniture, paper packaging for food and other materials that are resistant to water, grease or stains. They were also used for firefighting at airfields and in a number of industrial processes. Many of these uses were phased out by U.S. manufacturers in the mid-2000s but some uses remain. GenX chemicals are replacements for PFOA, and PFBS is a replacement for PFOS.
Most people have been exposed to these chemicals through consumer products but drinking water can be an additional source of exposure in communities where these chemicals have contaminated water supplies.