EPA established health advisories for PFOA and PFOS based on the agency’s assessment of the latest peer-reviewed science regarding the health risks of these chemicals

 

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) under TSCA

• Overview
• Background
• PFOA Stewardship Program
• More Information

Overview

Announcement

On May 19, 2016, EPA established health advisories for PFOA and PFOS based on the agency’s assessment of the latest peer-reviewed science to provide drinking water system operators, and state, tribal and local officials who have the primary responsibility for overseeing these systems, with information on the health risks of these chemicals, so they can take the appropriate actions to protect their residents. Learn more.

What are PFASs and where are they found?

Many per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), also referred to as perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs), are found world-wide in the environment, wildlife, and humans.
PFASs are substances that have many manufacturing and industrial applications because they impart useful properties, including fire resistance and oil, stain, grease and water repellency. These chemicals are used in a wide range of industrial applications and the manufacture of consumer goods, and may be found in cleaners, textiles, leather, paper and paints, fire-fighting foams, and wire insulation.

Why is EPA concerned about Long-chain PFASs?

EPA is particularly concerned about so-called long-chain PFAS chemicals. These are persistent in the environment, bioaccumulative in wildlife and humans, and are toxic to laboratory animals and wildlife, producing reproductive, developmental, and systemic effects in laboratory tests.
These long-chain PFASs comprise two sub-categories:

• long-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) with eight or more carbons, including PFOA, and
• perfluoroalkane sulfonates (PFSAs) with six or more carbons, including
  • perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) and
  • perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS).

While persistent in the environment, PFCA chemicals with fewer than eight carbons, such as perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), and PFSA chemicals with fewer than six carbons, such as perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS), are generally less toxic and less bioaccumulative in wildlife and humans.

What is EPA doing?

EPA has taken a range of regulatory actions to address PFAS substances in manufacturing and consumer products as noted below. In addition, EPA developed and industry implemented a global stewardship program with the goal of eliminating these chemicals from emissions and products by 2015.

• Learn more about EPA’s 2010/2015 PFOA Stewardship Program.
• Read Background information on PFAS.
• Current actions
  • On January 21, 2015, EPA proposed a Significant New Use Rule under the Toxic Substances Control Act to require manufacturers (including importers) of PFOA and PFOA-related chemicals, including as part of articles, and processors of these chemicals  to notify EPA at least 90 days before starting or resuming new uses of these chemicals in any products. This notification would allow EPA the opportunity to evaluate the new use and, if necessary, take action to prohibit or limit the activity.
  • EPA’s New Chemicals program reviews alternatives for PFOA and related chemicals before they enter the marketplace to identify whether the range of toxicity, fate and bioaccumulation issues that have caused past concerns with perfluorinated substances may be present in order to ensure that the new chemicals may not present an unreasonable risk to health or the environment.
• Previous actions
  • On September 30, 2013, EPA issued a rule requiring companies to report all new uses of certain PFOA-related chemicals as part of carpets, a category of potentially harmful chemicals once used on carpets to impart soil, water, and stain resistance. Companies must now report to EPA their intent to manufacture (including import) these chemical substances intended for use as part of carpets or to treat carpets, as well as import carpets already containing these chemical substances.
  • On October 9, 2007, EPA finalized a SNUR on 183 PFAS chemicals believed to no longer be manufactured (including imported) or used in the United States. Read more information on the 2007 SNUR for 183 chemicals.
  • On March 11, 2002, EPA published a SNUR to require notification to EPA before any future manufacture (including import) of 13 PFAS chemicals specifically included in the voluntary phase out of PFOS by 3M that took place between 2000 and 2002. This SNUR allowed the continuation of a few specifically limited, highly technical uses of these chemicals for which no alternatives were available, and which were characterized by very low volume, low exposure, and low releases. Any other uses of these chemicals would require prior notice to and review by the Agency. Read more information on the 2002 SNUR for 13 chemicals .
  • On December 9, 2002, EPA published a SNUR to require notification to EPA before any future manufacture (including import) of 75 PFAS chemicals specifically included in the voluntary phase out of PFOS by 3M that took place between 2000 and 2002. This SNUR allowed the continuation of a few specifically limited, highly technical uses of these chemicals for which no alternatives were available, and which were characterized by very low volume, low exposure, and low releases. Any other uses of these chemicals would require prior notice to and review by the Agency. Read more information on the 2002 SNUR for 75 chemicals.