EPA has effectively indicated there is no safe measurable level of PFAS residues in drinking water—and FDA reports PFAS in imported seafood.
Since FE covered the family of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in drinking water and food in the September 2021 issue, EPA has acknowledged that the previous 2016 Health Advisory (HA) allowable minimum reporting level (MRL) of 70 parts per trillion (ppt) in drinking water for PFOA/PFOS is dangerously too high and is now recommending much lower levels—levels that challenge analytical instrumentation. And without testing, there is no assurance that food and beverage products or drinking water is free of these chemicals.
Nevertheless, it’s important to note that there are hundreds of chemicals and materials in the PFAS family, and not all pose environmental problems and health concerns, according to a recent study from the American Chemistry Council.1