[CPEO-MEF] PFCs: "Emerging Water Contaminants Update: Uncertainty Remains Despite Regulatory Action"

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@cpeo.org>]

Emerging Water Contaminants Update: Uncertainty Remains Despite Regulatory Action

By Sarah Wightman and Jeff Kray
Marten Law
September 25, 2017

Emerging contaminants, particularly perfluorinated compounds, are increasingly found in drinking water throughout the country. Regulatory uncertainty facing drinking water suppliers and consumers is slowly forcing legislators, regulators, and private plaintiffs to act. While there has been limited movement at the federal level, and states have not yet developed comprehensive regulatory schemes for perfluorinated compounds, the landscape is changing quickly as the public demands drinking water free of these compounds. Recent developments are in part clarifying, as states are developing drinking water and cleanup standards that facilitate cleanup of these contaminants, and in part confusing, as jurisdictions are reacting differently and the federal government has not established uniform standards.

Perfluorinated Compounds Overview

Perfluorinated compounds (PFASs) are a generic term for a family of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs), synthetic chemicals that have many useful properties, including fire resistance and oil, stain, grease, and water repellency.[1] The two most widely known PFASs are perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfate (PFOS). PFASs are, or have been, found in firefighting foams, wire insulation, cleaners, textiles, apparel, carpet, leather, paper, and paints. While many of these chemicals have been in use since the mid-20th century, increased detection ability and awareness has recently confirmed their ubiquitous presence in our environment. Because of their widespread use and persistence (i.e., they degrade slowly), PFASs are now found worldwide in the environment, wildlife, and humans, which may be harmful to the environment and human health. For example, studies have shown that exposure to PFASs, specifically PFOA and PFOS, is associated with developmental effects to fetuses and infants, cancer, and impacts to the liver, thyroid, immune system, and cholesterol changes.

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For the entire article, see
http://www.martenlaw.com/newsletter/20170925-emerging-water-contaminants-update

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Lenny Siegel
Executive Director
Center for Public Environmental Oversight
a project of the Pacific Studies Center
P.O. Box 998, Mountain View, CA 94042
Voice/Fax: 650/961-8918 
<lsiegel@cpeo.org>
http://www.cpeo.org

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