On June 15, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued drinking water health advisories for four per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) including PFOS, PFOA, GenX, and PFBS and incorporated Endocrine Society recommendations on low dose impact by acknowledging that there is no safe level for certain PFAS and health effects may occur below the current EPA detection limit.
The health advisories were announced as an update to the original 2016 advisories, and consider more recent scientific evidence, including effects on development, reproduction, cancer, and immune systems. The new advisories for GenX and PFBS also consider sensitive effects on thyroid hormone levels.
While these advisories provide states and territories with some advice on limiting exposure, the EPA is also planning on developing a PFAS National Drinking Water Regulation to be announced this coming fall. This regulation may consider additional PFAS and include a grouping approach to prevent regrettable substitutions.
The Endocrine Society looks forward to the drinking water regulation and will work with EPA to ensure that hazardous exposures to these endocrine-disrupting chemicals are minimized.
Loading ...