Briefs

EPA Moves to Protect the Public from PFOA and PFOS in Drinking Water

WASHINGTON  — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or EPA Nov. 16,  asked the agency’s science advisory board or SAB to review draft scientific documents regarding the health effects of certain Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances or PFAS.  In its press release, EPA said it’s committed to science-based approaches to protect public health from exposure to Perfluorooctanoic acid or PFOA and Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid or PFOS, including by quickly updating drinking water health advisories with new peer-reviewed approaches and expeditiously developing National Primary Drinking Water Regulations for these contaminants.

EPA sent the science advisory board four draft documents with recent scientific data and new analyses that indicate that negative health effects may occur at much lower levels of exposure to PFOA and PFOS than previously understood and that PFOA is a likely carcinogen. The draft documents present EPA’s initial analysis and findings with respect to this new information. 

Following peer review, this information will be used to inform health advisories and the development of maximum contaminant level goals and a national primary drinking water regulation for PFOA and PFOS. The EPA is now seeking independent scientific review of these documents and it is making these draft documents available to the public to ensure a transparent evaluation of the information. 

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, signed by President Biden on Nov. 15, invests $10 billion to help communities test for and clean up PFAS and other emerging contaminants in drinking water and wastewater, and can be used to support projects in disadvantaged communities.

The EPA will continue to develop a proposed PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for publication in Fall 2022. 

Details: www.epa.gov/pfas.

Reporters Desk

Recent Posts

Shutdown 2025: What to Expect

This announcement from Rep. Nannette Barragán’s office was sent with the following disclaimer: DISCLAIMER: The…

12 minutes ago

Desperate Times, Desperate Measures: Yes on 50

Gerrymandering is the bane — well, one of the banes — of our so-called democracy.…

20 hours ago

Padilla, Democrats Call on State Department to Restore Gaza Humanitarian and Medical Visas

The Senators requested a full explanation of the circumstances leading to this abrupt decision to…

22 hours ago

San Pedro City Ballet, Arts United Invite Community to Mural Unveiling Oct. 5

Misty Copeland said of the mural: “I’m incredibly honored to be featured in this stunning…

23 hours ago

Port of Long Beach Names Chief Harbor Engineer

LONG BEACH—The Port of Long Beach has named Monique Lebrun as senior director of the…

2 days ago

Unified Command Completes Salvage Operations for Pier G Container Incident

LONG BEACH — The unified command announces all 95 containers that fell overboard from the…

2 days ago