EPA Takes Three New Actions on PFAS

On April 28, EPA announced three actions it is taking to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) per its commitments in the Agency’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap.

1. Screening Method for the Determination of Adsorbable Organic Fluorine (AOF) in Aqueous Matrices by Combustion Ion Chromatography (CIC): This new method provides an aggregate measurement  for organofluorine chemical substances (such as PFAS) that contain carbon-fluorine bonds at the one part per billion level. This method is intended to be used as a screening tool and does not identify or quantify individual compounds.
2. New memo from Rhadixa Fox, the EPA Office of Water Assistant Administrator, on Addressing PFAS Discharges in EPA-Issued National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permits and Expectations Where EPA is the Pretreatment Control Authority: The memo provides recommendations for monitoring provisions, analytical methods, pollution prevention, and best management practices to address PFAS discharges. The Agency also plans to publish state guidance to address PFAS in NPDES permits in the future.
3. Draft Recommended Aquatic Life Ambient Water Quality Criteria for PFOA and PFOS. EPA has released its Draft Aquatic Life Criteria for both PFOAand PFOS. The Agency is providing these recommendations for criteria to states and tribes to assist with developing water quality standards, issuing permits to address PFAS discharges, and assessing the impact of PFAS pollution. The due date for public comments is June 2, 2022.

For more information, read EPA’s news release, and visit the PFAS Strategic Roadmap website.