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ARTICLE · 24 APRIL 2024

Cascading Effects Of EPA's New PFAS MCLs For Drinking Water

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First national PFAS regulation increases potential liability for water utilities, wastewater facilities, and industrial dischargers...

United StatesEnvironment
Maureen Reitman Sc.D., F.S.P.E., P.E.
Maureen Reitman Sc.D., F.S.P.E., P.E.
Susan Paulsen Ph.D., P.E.
Susan Paulsen Ph.D., P.E.
Tarek Saba, Ph.D.
Tarek Saba, Ph.D.
Sarahann Rackl
Sarahann Rackl
Karen Murray Ph.D.
Karen Murray Ph.D.
Kristin Robrock Ph.D., P.E.
Kristin Robrock Ph.D., P.E.

First national PFAS regulation increases potential liability for water utilities, wastewater facilities, and industrial dischargers

On April 10, the Environmental Protection Agency finalized the National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR), setting new maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for five individual per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, and HFPO-DA (known as GenX). The new MCLs are 4 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOA and PFOS and 10 ppt for PFNA, PFHxS, and HFPO-DA.

In addition, the final regulation includes a hazard index level of 1 for regulating mixtures of two or more of the following four PFAS: PFNA, PFHxS, HFPO-DA, and an additional PFAS known as PFBS.

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