EPA is committed to supporting states, tribes and local communities in addressing challenges with PFAS. As a part of this effort, EPA is taking action to identify solutions to address PFAS in the environment.

Toxicity Assessment for PFBS

• On January 15, 2021, EPA released a toxicity assessment for perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS). This PFBS assessment is part of EPA’s efforts to increase the amount of research and information that is publicly available on chemicals in the PFAS family. This assessment is not a regulation, rather it provides a critical part of the scientific foundation for human health risk assessment decision-making.
• Learn more about EPA’s Toxicity Assessment for PFBS.

Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Addressing PFOA and PFOS in the Environment

• On January 14, 2021, EPA issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) to get public comment and data to inform the agency’s ongoing evaluation of PFOA and PFOS. This information will also help the agency consider whether additional regulatory steps to address PFAS contamination in the environment are necessary.
• Learn more about EPA’s Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
• EPA will accept comments on the ANPRM for 60 days following publication in the Federal Register.

Interim Guidance on Destroying and Disposing of Certain PFAS and PFAS-Containing Materials That Are Not Consumer Products

• On December 18, 2020, EPA released for public comment new interim guidance that will help protect the public from exposure to these emerging chemicals of concern. Specifically, the new interim guidance outlines the current state of the science on techniques and treatments that may be used to destroy or dispose of PFAS and PFAS-containing materials from non-consumer products, including aqueous film-forming foam (for firefighting).
  • Learn more about EPA's Interim Guidance on Destroying and Disposing of Certain PFAS and PFAS-Containing Materials That  Are Not Consumer Products.
    • This interim guidance will be available for public comment until February 22, 2021. 
  • Read the news release announcing the public comment period for the interim guidance.
  • Read the Federal Register notice (PDF).

Interim Strategy for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Federally Issued National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permits

• Memorandum issued November 22, 2020.
  • These recommendations were developed by a workgroup comprised of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) Headquarters and Regional contacts.

PFAS Action Plan: Program Update

• Issued on February 26, 2020
• Included a summary of key actions the agency has taken since issuing the PFAS Action Plan, including:
  • Issued preliminary determinations to regulate PFOA and PFOS
  • Announced a supplemental proposal to ensure that new uses of certain persistent long-chain PFAS chemicals in surface coatings cannot be manufactured or imported into the United States without notification and review under TSCA
  • Developed new validated methods to accurately test for 11 additional PFAS in drinking water
  • Issued Interim Recommendations for Addressing Groundwater Contaminated with PFOA and PFOS
  • Announced availability of $4.8 million in funding for new research on managing PFAS in agriculture
  • Issued an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking that would allow the public to provide input on adding PFAS to the Toxics Release Inventory toxic chemical list
  • Issued a directive to prioritize federal research on impacts to agriculture and rural economies

PFAS Action Plan

• Issued on February 14, 2019
• Demonstrated the agency's critical national leadership
• Provided both short-term solutions and long-term strategies to address this emerging chemical of concern
• Responded to extensive public input

National Leadership Summit

• Hosted a National Leadership Summit
• Traveled to states with communities impacted by PFAS

PFAS Exposure and Occurrence

• Released EPA's Drinking Water Health Advisories for PFOS/PFOA
• Developed a laboratory method for measuring PFOS, PFOA and 12 other PFAS in drinking water (EPA Method 537)
• Expanded the current drinking water Method 537 to include GenX chemicals and additional PFAS
• Conducted monitoring for PFAS in drinking water under the third Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule

Human Health Impacts of PFAS

• Provided provisional Peer Reviewed Toxicity Values for PFBS for use in site decision making
• Identified the universe of PFAS currently being manufactured and used
• Collected scientific literature on PFAS toxicity
• Developed draft human health toxicity values for GenX and PFBS
• Providing states with access to test data obtained under TSCA authority for GenX chemicals (acid and salt)
• Provide access to PFAS related publications, data and information

Reducing PFAS Exposures

• Created a PFOA Stewardship Program with industry to phase out manufacturing of PFOA
• Outlined drinking water treatment processes for PFOA/PFOS in drinking water
• Updating EPA Drinking Water Treatability Database for multiple PFAS
• Continuing site-specific technical assistance to identify and reduce PFAS exposures

Stakeholder Support

• Ongoing robust public engagement effort with states, tribes, local communities, utilities, industry and the public
• Created an EPA regional coordination network to help EPA to support states and tribes in addressing PFAS
• Support PFAS outreach, including development of a PFAS webinar series and risk communication materials

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