EPA Releases New 'Lifetime' PFOA Exposure Level Data

CONCORD, NH - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued new “lifetime drinking water health advisory levels” for both perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) at 70 parts per trillion (ppt), according to Jim Martin of the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services.

When both chemicals are found in drinking water, the combined concentrations should also be at 70 ppt, a much lower level than the previous level of 100 ppt.

Communities in New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York that have found drinking water systems and wells contaminated with the chemicals, have been waiting a long time for the EPA health advisory to be revised, due to health concerns about whether or not the chemicals affect the growth and development of hormone levels including thyroid hormone, liver enzyme levels, cholesterol levels, immune function or occurrence of certain types of cancer .

Perfluorocarbons or PFCs are a man-made chemical used in a variety of products – like non-stick cookware, weather resistant clothing, and carpeting – that makes them resistant to heat, oil, stains, grease, and water. Many chemicals in this group, including PFOA, are commonly present in the environment and do not break down easily. Studies have shown that nearly all people have some level of PFCs in their blood.

Martin said that the NH DES was working closely with the NH Department of Health and Human Services to “quickly review the scientific basis” for the new health advisories and was already taking steps to provide bottled water to all known private drinking water well users that have tested at 70 ppt or more of either chemical or with combined readings.

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“(The) NHDES will move quickly with emergency rule making to set a ground water cleanup and drinking water standard for contaminants,” Martin noted. “NHDES will then work to establish permanent rules, with full public comment and engagement processes.”

So far, elevated levels of the chemicals have been found in water in Amherst, Bedford, Manchester, Merrimack, Litchfield, Londonderry, and at the Pease Tradeport in Portsmouth.

Pols react

U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-NH, said she was pleased that the EPA had finally answered her “repeated requests” to release new standards on the chemical levels.

“New Hampshire residents deserve to know whether or not their water resources are safe,” she stated. “I will continue to monitor the increasing instances of potentially dangerous PFOA and PFOS levels in water resources in several communities across our state and ensure that the EPA is working with local officials and communities to take every action possible for the safety of all Granite State residents.”

U.S. Rep. Ann McLane Kuster, D-NH, said the new standards would provide “greater clarity in how the state can help respond to the health concerns of communities” with contaminated water supplies.

“I urged the EPA to expeditiously release this public health advisory so that residents and agencies in the state can take action,” she said. “Many New Hampshire residents rely on private wells as their primary source of drinking water, and are rightfully concerned about the potential long-term health impacts of exposure to unsafe levels of these chemicals. I commend the EPA for providing the new Lifetime Health Advisory Level for PFOA and PFOS.”

Gov. Maggie Hassan also responded stating that while most New Hampshire households that fall into the category were already receiving bottled water, the NH DES took immediate steps to expand the water to others.

“Granite Staters who have been exposed to contaminated water understandably have many concerns about their own health and the health of their children, and helping them understand the risks posed by emerging contaminants and aggressively addressing those risks is critical to public health and the well-being of our families,” she said.