New Federal PFAS Regulations Could Have Significant Impact Locally

(KNSI) – The United States Environmental Protection Agency has released a draft of new rules for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

The Minnesota Department of Health says the proposed Maximum Contaminant Levels, or MCLs, for two of the most common “forever chemicals” are well below guidance set by the state. The EPA wants to regulate the substances at four parts per trillion, compared to the marks of 35 ppt and 15 ppt recommended by MDH and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

The EPA rules will soon be open to a public comment period and would not become enforceable for several years, even if adopted. For four other chemicals, the federal agency wants to use a cumulative measure similar to the Health Risk Index already calculated in Minnesota.

Sauk Rapids and Waite Park have wells testing above state recommendations. Several other cities in the region, including Becker and Princeton, would potentially run afoul of the EPA’s proposed regulations.

The state testing program is voluntary but the federal regulations would be backed by stiff financial penalties. The EPA has never issued rules on PFAS before. “Forever chemicals” have been linked to several health problems, including cancer.

Some of the most common sources of PFAS contamination include non-stick cookware and firefighting foam.

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