EPA Hedges On Regulatory Determination For PFAS, Sparking Criticisms

摘要

EPA officials are promising to propose a threshold determination on whether to set drinking water standards for two of the most common per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) but are leaving the door open to the possibility that they may choose not to regulate the chemicals, an approach that is sparking widespread criticism. Acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler at a Feb. 14 press conference in Philadelphia said that he has "every intention of setting" enforceable maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), although he did not rule out the possibility that EPA could elect not to set such a limit.