It is hard to call per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) a
category of "emerging" contaminants given the amount of
attention PFAS is receiving these days, but the regulation of PFAS
throughout the country is certainly still developing. Pennsylvania
is the latest jurisdiction to propose drinking water standards for
PFAS, with the proposed maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) examined
below.
If adopted, it would be the first time Pennsylvania has set a
state-specific drinking water standard for any substance.
PFAS are a class of synthetic chemicals that have been used
since the 1940s to make products that are resistant to water, heat,
and oil. These products include cookware, carpets, clothing,
fabrics for furniture, paper packaging for food, and other
materials that are resistant to water, grease, or stains. They are
also used in firefighting foams and in a number of industrial
processes.
