EPA Takes Two New Actions On PFAS

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) took two important actions in late December 2021 related to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a class of chemicals receiving increasing legislative and regulatory scrutiny in recent years. The two actions relate to drinking-water monitoring data and to toxicity and human-health testing data.

First, on December 20, EPA issued a rule to establish nationwide monitoring for 29 PFAS and lithium in drinking water. The Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 5) for Public Water Systems — finalized on December 20, 2021, and issued under the Safe Drinking Water Act — is part of EPA's PFAS Strategic Roadmap. The UCMR process is conducted every five years to provide additional data on contaminants that are not regulated.