What are PFAS?
PFAS are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
- PFAS are widely used, long lasting chemicals, components of which break down very slowly over time.
- Over the last 70 years, these compounds have been widely used around the world in the manufacturing of clothing, furniture fabrics, cleaning products, non-stick cookware, paints, inks, cosmetics, paper packaging for food and other materials. They are also used for firefighting and industrial processes.
Although there are thousands of PFAS compounds, the EPA has prioritized research on a small number of these compounds that may have health effects at very low concentrations. Two of these are Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS). - Because of their widespread use and persistence in the environment, many PFAS are found in the blood of people and animals all over the world and are present at low levels in a variety of food products and in the environment.
- PFAS are found in water, air, fish, and soil at locations across the nation and the globe.
- Scientific research suggests that exposure to high levels of certain PFAS may lead to adverse health outcomes. However, research is still ongoing to determine how different levels of exposure to different PFAS can lead to a variety of health effects.
- The EPA states that most uses of PFOA and PFOS were voluntarily phased-out by the mid-2000s.
What is the EPA’s Health Advisory regarding PFAS?
Recently the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established new Interim Health Advisory Levels for PFOA at 0.004 parts per trillion and 0.02 parts per trillion for PFOS. These are microscopic levels, trace amounts. For perspective, 1 part per trillion is equal to 1 drop in 500,000 barrels of water. These new health advisories are also below current reliable detection abilities of scientific equipment. Scientists can currently detect PFAS compounds at 2 parts per trillion.
While this health advisory is not a regulation, it does provide interim guidance as the EPA develops a more formal regulation. The health advisory level is set at the minimum concentration of a compound which may present health risks to an individual over a lifetime of exposure. Because there is uncertainty of the health effects associated with long-term exposure to compounds, EPA sets lower health advisories. As mentioned, sometimes, the advisory is lower than current analytical methods can detect.
What are the new EPA Health Advisory levels?
EPA first issued a health advisory level for PFOA and PFOS (individually or combined) in 2016 at 70 parts per trillion. Because of further research and as EPA determines its regulatory approach, it has created a lower health advisory.
| PFAS Compound | 2016 | 2022 |
| Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) | 70 ppt | 0.004 ppt |
| Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid (PFOS) | 70 ppt | 0.02 ppt |
| Perfluorobutane Sulfonic Acid (PFBS) | n/a | 2,000 ppt |
| Hexafluoropropylene Oxide Dimer Acid (GenX Chemicals) | n/a | 10 ppt |
How does this affect our community and how is OMU addressing this advisory?
As always, OMU is committed to meeting all drinking water regulatory requirements and addressing any health advisory concerns. Safe drinking water is our foremost priority. Our community’s water comes from an underground aquifer and is therefore protected from many contaminants. We are, therefore, not subject to some of the risks associated from the use of surface water such as rivers and reservoirs.
We will continue to monitor the EPA and state recommendations, comply with any new requirements, and coordinate with these agencies regarding ongoing research and rule-making developments.
We also work to protect our ground water source through our Wellhead Protection Program, which includes ways that you can help protect the aquifer.
If this health advisory becomes a regulatory requirement, what will this mean for OMU and its customers?
At this point, it is a health advisory and until we know more, it is difficult to speculate regarding the measures necessary to address any potential requirements.
Since EPA has not developed regulations for PFAS in drinking water as yet, it is difficult to determine potential treatment options. In addition, there is no currently available approved testing technology which can detect PFAS at the health advisory level identified by the EPA. The methods for treatment of PFAS in drinking water are new and expensive and would therefore be a significant cost to OMU and our customer-owners if they are required to be installed.
Where can I learn more about PFAS?
US Environmental Protection Agency
Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet
eec.ky.gov/Environmental-Protection/Water/Protection/Pages/PFAS