Source: NCDEQ, 6/15/22
The U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency today released health advisory values for four PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances): GenX, PFOA, PFOS and PFBS. Today’s EPA actions are based on the best available science and consider lifetime exposure to these PFAS compounds. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) are moving quickly to evaluate the state’s drinking water supplies based on these health advisories and determine appropriate next steps to assess and reduce exposure risks. In
step with the DEQ Action Strategy for PFAS, DEQ will
prioritize actions to protect communities based upon the number of people
impacted, concentration of PFAS in the drinking water, and the impacts to
vulnerable and disadvantaged populations. GenX Since
2017, North Carolina has taken decisive action to address GenX contamination
originating from the Chemours Fayetteville Works Facility. For GenX, the EPA set a final lifetime health advisory level of 10
parts per trillion (ppt), which would replace the state’s provisional drinking water health goal of 140 ppt developed by NCDHHS in 2018. The Consent Order requires Chemours to
provide whole house filtration for private drinking water wells with GenX
concentrations above a health advisory. The federal health advisory will
now replace the state provisional drinking water health goal and DEQ estimates
more than 1700 additional private well users will now be eligible for whole
house filtration or connection to a public water supply. DEQ is directing
Chemours to proceed with the implementation of the health advisory and
additional information will be provided to residents about their options and
next steps as soon as possible. PFOA and PFOS While GenX contamination is specific to the Cape Fear River Basin in North Carolina, PFOS and PFOA were commonly used nationwide for decades in a variety of consumer goods and industrial processes. PFOA and PFOS, often called 'legacy compounds’ have been largely phased out of current use and replaced by GenX and PFBS. EPA
issued interim updated health advisories of 0.004
ppt for PFOA and 0.02 ppt for PFOS, with a
minimum reporting level of 4 ppt. These interim
advisories replace the 2016 provisional health advisory of 70 ppt for both
compounds. According to EPA, there is an increased risk of adverse health
effects, including effects on the immune system, the cardiovascular system,
human development (e.g., decreased birth weight), and cancer, when drinking water
with compounds above the health advisory over a lifetime. EPA
recommends water systems that measure any levels of PFOA or PFOS take steps to
inform customers, undertake additional sampling to assess the level, scope and
source of contamination, and examine steps to limit exposure. At this
time, EPA is not recommending bottled water or providing alternative water
sources, based solely on concentrations of these chemicals in drinking water
that exceed the health advisory levels. Data on the PFOA and PFOS levels in North Carolina’s private drinking water wells and public water systems are limited. However, available sampling indicates the presence of one or both compounds in multiple public water systems across the state. DEQ and DHHS are evaluating the available data in light of these new health advisories to identify potentially affected communities and take action to address impacts to North Carolina residents. DHHS will ensure guidance on health impacts related to these forever chemicals is available to the public and remains up-to-date. Specific health information can be found in the EPA’s health advisories or in the NCDHHS PFAS fact sheet and GenX fact sheet. Most
exposures occur by consuming food or water containing PFAS. The EPA health
advisories account for margin of safety for other potential exposure sources,
such as through skin (dermal), breathing (inhalation), dietary exposure,
consumer products, etc. You can lower the risks of health impacts by using home
or point of use water filters or alternate water sources if PFAS are above
health advisory levels in your drinking water. Information on testing and
filtration can be found in the NCDHHS PFAS Testing and Filtration Resources Fact Sheet. While
health advisories are not enforceable regulatory standards, EPA plans to
propose federal drinking water standards for both PFOA and PFOS. DEQ is
evaluating the appropriate next steps to assist communities, well owners, and
water systems in advance of the proposed federal drinking water
standards. PFBS
For PFBS, EPA set a health advisory at 2,000
ppt. PFBS has not been found in significant concentrations in sampling to
date in North Carolina. DEQ
and DHHS will plan additional outreach for affected residents in the weeks
ahead. Specific health information related to PFAS from DHHS,
including fact sheets, can be found online here. Additional DEQ information
about PFAS, including the DEQ Action Strategy for PFAS, is available here.
|