Hahn Raises Concerns About ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Drinking Water in LA County

LOS ANGELES —The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors July 26 approved a proposal by Supervisor Janice Hahn to begin investigating the levels of toxic polyfluorinated alkyl substances (also known as PFAS or forever chemicals) in drinking water in Los Angeles County. Her effort follows the publication of a nationwide survey that found forever chemicals in 45% of the nation’s drinking water and identified Southern California as a region where they may be even more common.

“These forever chemicals don’t naturally break down in the environment and can build up in our bodies and cause serious health problems,” said Supervisor Hahn. “We need to know whether they are in our drinking water and at what concentrations so we can start putting together a plan to get them out.”

PFAS are a class consisting of thousands of man-made chemicals that have been around since the 1940s. They are found in everything from firefighting foam, to stain resistant fabric, to nonstick cookware. Although their use has been largely phased out in the US, they continue to be found in our environment. Studies have linked these chemicals to serious health problems including decreased fertility, increased risk of high cholesterol, obesity, high blood pressure, certain cancers, and liver and immune-system damage.

“One challenge we face is that our drinking water in LA County is managed by over 200 separate water systems – some of whom are likely testing for these chemicals and some of whom are likely not,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “That is why this motion is so important so that we can begin collecting this information.”

Supervisor Hahn’s motion, which was approved unanimously, sets out to begin an investigation into forever chemicals in drinking water in LA County.

First, it asks for a report back from Public Health, Public Works, and our Chief Sustainability Office in 90 days with information about which of the 206 water systems in LA County currently test for PFAs and, if so, which chemicals, options for helping water districts to conduct more testing, and identifying potential state and federal funding sources to support more testing in the future. 

Second, it asks for a more extensive report back in 120 days with an analysis of the statewide PFAS regulations that are currently in the works, whether there are any gaps in the proposed regulations, and whether they reflect concerns of communities in the County of Los Angeles.