What’s going on with PFAS?

 

The La Crosse Water Utilities continues its mission to provide safe, high quality drinking water that meets all federal and state standards.  Safe drinking water is essential to ensure public health.

BACKGROUND

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates drinking water by establishing criteria to follow, ensuring that water is safe.  In Wisconsin, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) enforce the drinking water standards.  The La Crosse Water Utility meets or exceeds all regulatory standards in the United States and Wisconsin.  Testing data is made public and shared with consumers to ensure trust and transparency.

In recent years, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS, have emerged as substances linked by the EPA to negative health effects. PFAS are a large group of human-made chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products worldwide since the 1950’s. There are thousands of types of PFAS.  The most common types of PFAS are PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctanoic sulfonic acid).

PFAS are found in hundreds of consumer products such as fast food wrappers, the lining of disposable coffee cups, waterproofing products, and many types of stain resistant coatings used in textile manufacturing.  While PFOA and PFOS have been phased out from their use in commercial products, they are still found in the environment from historical uses, as they do not break down naturally, and may ultimately make their way into surface and ground water.

There are four specific PFAS compounds specifically addressed in recent notices from the EPA:  PFOS, PFOA, GenX and PFBS:

  • PFOS – key ingredient in stain repellant, Scotchgard; used in surface coatings for carpet, furniture, and waterproof clothing.
  • PFOA – makes nonstick coatings for cookware; best known of these coatings, PTFE or Teflon™, is made from PFOA and may contain some traces of PFOA. It was also used in production of carpets, upholstery, clothing, floor wax, and sealants.
  • GenX – was developed as a replacement for PFOA once PFOA began being associated with negative health effects; however, GenX has now been linked to the same and health effects as PFOA, according to the EPA.
  • PFBS – wetter in industrial processes and in water-resistant or stain-resistant coatings on textiles, carpets, and paper; 3M Company is reportedly its leading producer.

DNR Regulations August 1, 2022

On August 1, 2022, DNR administrative rules setting regulatory standards for two PFA’s compounds, PFOA and PFOS, in drinking water became effective.  This new rule requires utilities to test for PFOA and PFOS based on the testing schedule established by the DNR.   The action limit or (Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL)) for both compounds in drinking water was set at 70 parts per trillion (ppt).  Any water system with PFOA or PFOS above the 70 ppt limit will be required to take action to comply with the new standards.

 WHAT WE’RE DOING

The La Crosse Water Utility continues its stewardship of public health by doing the following:

  • Conduct quarterly PFAS tests to meet or exceed DNR requirements.
  • Follow the rigorous scientific framework of the EPA and DNR for best water quality practices.
  • Remain transparent to the public and welcome questions and comments about water quality.
  • Do everything in our power to maintain water systems and ensure meeting safe drinking water standards

 WHAT YOU CAN DO

According to the EPA, PFAS contaminates the blood of 99% of Americans and pollutes most of the world, and have been called unavoidable, as they are “everywhere,” specifically on former military bases and airports where PFAS have has been used for years, as required by the FAA.  Health experts advise:

  • Do not switch to plastic bottled water (Consumer Reports tested popular brands and found PFAS)
  • Stay away from waterproof /stain-resistant textiles and clothing that contain PFAS
  • Stop using PFAS-containing food-contact materials such as take-out containers
  1. TIP: transfer food out of packaging as soon as you get it. Avoid reheating food in takeout containers, because both heat and time increase the likelihood of PFAS transferring from wrappers to food.
  2. Avoid microwave popcorn which relies on PFAS to create the nonstick surface inside the bag
  • Avoid most nonstick cookware, as they may be made with PTFE, a PFAS.
  • Replace water filters to reduce and prevent contamination build up.
  • Research and verify if home water filters remove PFAS.
  • Avoid water-resistant products, and any product with PTFE or “fluoro-” in the ingredients, to help limit exposure; the Environmental Working Group database identifies various shampoos, dental floss, makeup, and other personal-care products that do and do not contain PFAS.

 

EPA NEWS UPDATES (NEWEST TO OLDEST)

 

EPA NEWS UPDATE 04/16/2024

On April 10, 2024, the United States EPA announced final National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for six PFAS, establishing legally enforceable levels, called Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs), for six PFAS in drinking water. The La Crosse Water Utility will continue their current testing and monitoring schedule under the Wisconsin compliance monitoring requirements and will use data gathered to determine future steps necessary to comply with EPA’s lower MCLs.

The State of Wisconsin will have up to two years to incorporate the federal rule into the DNR’s rules. Until that time, the DNR’s existing PFAS drinking water rule (and the existing state PFOA/PFOS standard of 70 ppt separately or combined) will apply.

Under the new EPA rule, the MCLs for PFOA and PFOS were set at 4 ppt and a Hazard Index of 1 was included for mixtures containing PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA (Gen-X), PFBS.  The final rule also included individual MCLs for PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA (Gen-X) of 10 ppt. 

 

 Compound  Final MCLG

 Final MCL 

(enforceable levels)
 PFOA  Zero  4.0 parts per trillion (ppt) (also expressed as ng/L)
 PFOS  Zero  4.0 ppt
 PFHxS  10 ppt  10 ppt
 PFNA  10 ppt  10 ppt
 HFPO-DA (commonly known as GenX Chemicals)  10 ppt  10 ppt
 Mixtures containing two or more of PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA, and PFBS  

1 (unitless)

Hazard Index

  

1 (unitless)

Hazard Index

 

EPA’s rule requires that by 2027, systems must conduct initial monitoring, followed by ongoing compliance monitoring. Water systems must also provide the public with information on the levels of these PFAs in their drinking water beginning in 2027.  Wisconsin systems, including the La Crosse Water Utility, have already started monitoring for PFOA & PFOS pursuant to state requirements.  Wisconsin’s compliance monitoring requirements will continue to apply but will be modified when the federal rule is incorporated into the DNR’s rule.

Starting in 2029, systems must comply with all regulated PFAs MCLs and provide public notifications for violations of the PFAS MCLs.  While compliance with existing standards under the DNR rule (PFOA/PFOS at 70 ppt combined) will be required before 2029, compliance with the lower federal standards will not be required until 2029 based on current rules.

For the time being, DNR’s PFAS rules will continue to govern Wisconsin water utilities.  

EPA NEWS UPDATE 04/04/2023

On June 15, 2022, the United States EPA made a health advisory (HAL) announcement with new number for PFAS.  HALs are non-enforceable; rather, they provide technical information that guides officials to develop monitoring plans, determine treatment solutions, and create policies. 

The EPA has not yet stopped polluters from discharging PFAS, but on March 14, 2023 they proposed national drinking water standards for PFOA and PFOS, and a combination of four other PFAS chemicals (PFNA, HFPO-DA (GenX), PFHxS, and PFBS).  The proposed standards for PFOA and PFOS are 4 parts per trillion.  The proposed standard for the other four PFAS chemicals combined is based on a hazard index of 1.  This is the first time EPA has proposed basing a drinking water standard on a hazard index.

Under EPA’s proposal, the hazard index equals the sum of four fractions -- one fraction for each PFAS chemical covered by the combined standard.  Each fraction compares the level of the specific PFAS chemical measured in water to the health-based level set by EPA for that chemical.  EPA’s proposed health-based levels for the four PFAS in parts per trillion (ppt) are PFHxS at 9 ppt; HFPO-DA (GenX) at 10 ppt; PFNA at 10 ppt; and PFBS at 2000 ppt.  If the sum of the four fractions is greater than 1.0, the proposed hazard index standard would be exceeded.

EPA intends to finalize its national drinking water standards for these PFAS chemicals by the end of 2023.  Once the national rules are finalized, water systems will have three years to meet these limits.