CT Issues New Drinking Water Advisory On 'Forever Chemicals': What To Know

CONNECTICUT — The Connecticut Department of Health released new drinking water advisories for a family of toxic “forever chemicals," which potentially have negative health effects for people.

Polyfluoroalkyl and perfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are known as “forever chemicals” because of their durability in high heat and water, which means they remain in the environment for years without breaking down. They’re found in a range of products, including non-stick coatings, food packaging and firefighting foam.

Studies based on animal ingestion of PFAS raised concerns about potential effects in humans, DPH Commissioner Dr. Manisha Juthani said in a statement. Concerns are centered on the liver, immune system, growth, reproduction and fetal development, as well as endocrine disruptions and blood lipids. Some studies have shown an increased risk of kidney cancer for PFOA expsoure.

The CT DPH action levels are:

10 parts-per-trillion (ppt; ng/L) for perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS)
12 parts-per-trillion (ppt; ng/L) for perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA)
16 parts-per trillion (ppt; ng/L) for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
49 parts-per-trillion (ppt; ng/L) for perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS)

“The new action levels for individual PFAS reflect the evolving scientific evidence on their toxicity and are more protective of public health than the previous Connecticut action levels,” Juthani said.

Action levels can be used as guidance by local health departments and private well owners. They aren’t enforceable. DPH also recommends that public water systems test their water for PFAS and report the results publicly.

Aquarion Water Company said in a statement that it's been planning for infrastructure upgrades, including PFAS treatment, according to CT Insider. They will seek funding through the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The company lists its testing data by water system on its website. Connecticut Water Company also said it's exploring options for PFAS treatment and awaits standards from the EPA and CT DPH.

The Regional Water Authority lists its total PFAS amount for its water sources on its website. The company regularly inspects its watershed and aquifer system for potential PFAS contamination.

"Like water systems around the country, we are taking in the new guidance as it is offered and implementing it to best serve our customers," Regional Water Authority spokeswoman April Capone said in a statement. "We will continue conversations with CT DPH and our peers through the CT section of the American Water Works Association."

Communities with PFAS contamination may be eligible for funding under a $1 billion grant program included in the Biden administration’s bipartisan infrastructure package approved by Congress last year.

Older PFAS perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) have largely been phased out of production, but they are extremely resistant to breaking down in the environment.

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EPA also issues new guidance

The federal Environmental Protection Agency also released new non-binding advisories for PFA chemicals. EPA health advisory levels for PFOA and PFOS are below the level that can be detected with current technology.

“This means that it is possible for PFOA or PFOS to be present in drinking water at levels that exceed health advisories even if testing indicates no level of these chemicals,” the EPA said in its advisory.

The EPA plans to propose national drinking water regulations by the end of 2022 for PFOA and PFOS. The agency is also evaluating additional PFAS and considering regulatory action.

The American Chemical Council, which represents PFAS producers such as 3M and Dupont, said Wednesday the EPA’s new standards “will have sweeping implications” on public policy, and “cannot be achieved with existing treatment technology and, in fact, are below levels that can be reliably detected using existing EPA methods.”

Further, the industry group questioned the science behind the revised drinking water health advisory, saying it should have been delayed until the agency’s own Science Advisory Board could review dramatically reduced toxicity levels that are “3,000 to 17,000 times lower” than those set in 2016.

“Getting the science right is of critical importance,” the American Chemical Council said in a statement.

Health advocates say the problem can’t be overstated. Forever chemicals have already prompted officials in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan to issue advisories against eating certain fish caught in Lake Superior.