EPA Announces PFAS National Drinking Water Standard and Resources in Puerto Rico to Detect Exposure Hazards

Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly referred to as forever chemicals, are now part of a first national, legally enforceable drinking water standard to protect communities from exposure. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) made the announcement in April and claims the new final rule will reduce PFAS exposure for approximately 100 million people, prevent thousands of deaths, and reduce tens of thousands of serious illnesses.

According to the agency:
EPA is taking a signature step to protect public health by establishing legally enforceable levels for several PFAS known to occur individually and as mixtures in drinking water. This rule sets limits for five individual PFAS: PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, and HFPO-DA (also known as “GenX Chemicals”). The rule also sets a limit for mixtures of any two or more of four PFAS: PFNA, PFHxS, PFBS, and “GenX chemicals.”

“Exposure to PFAS has been linked to cancers, impacts to the liver and heart, and immune and developmental damage to infants and children,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “Public water systems have three years to complete initial monitoring. They must inform the public of the level of PFAS measured in their drinking water, and where they are found at levels that exceed these standards, systems must implement solutions to reduce PFAS in their drinking water within five years. EPA also announced almost $1 billion in funding to help states and territories implement testing and treatment at public water systems and to help private well owners address PFAS contamination.”

To protect against exposure in Puerto Rico and across the Caribbean, the environmental and industrial hygiene professionals at Zimmetry offer testing, consulting and monitoring services for PFAS and many other chemical contaminants. These services are available to help water utilities, companies and regulatory agencies identify PFAS exposure risks and comply with health and safety regulations. Several years ago, Zimmetry sponsored an educational video about PFAS and potential exposure risks that can still be seen at: https://youtu.be/skLIprCGeX4

To learn more about Zimmetry and their environmental, industrial hygiene, compliance and consulting services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005 or email info@zimmetry.com .

About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals and Fortune 500 companies. The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America. The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs and general environmental consulting services.

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

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