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Update on key PFAS regulations: what you need to know for 2025
In April 2024, ALS published a guide to understanding the global regulatory landscape of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – PFAS are a large category of chemicals that do not break down in the environment. Used in the manufacture of consumer goods and occurring as the byproduct of industrial processes, PFAS have raised health concerns because they have been shown to accumulate in food, water, soil, the air and human bodies, and are therefore being tested, analysed and regulated around the world.
At ALS, we have been at the forefront of PFAS sample testing and analysis services for over two decades. To help us adjust, standardise and scale practices at our worldwide network of PFAS labs, we stay on top of global PFAS regulations. Our clients trust us with their sample testing for quick turnaround times and highly accurate results, and they also trust us as a partner providing information about important developments in PFAS regulations that could impact them.
In this update, we focus on five such developments: a new drinking water quality objective in Canada and PFAS monitoring requirements in the UK, new PFAS added to EPA screening level tables in the US, restrictions on the sale and use of certain PFAS in the EU, and the announcement of results from an international evaluation of PFAS as potential carcinogens.
New objective for PFAS in drinking water in Canada
New objective for PFAS in drinking water in Canada
Health Canada – the Canadian government agency focused on protecting the health of people living in Canada – is developing updated Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality, but due to the complex scientific process involved in establishing these guidelines, they will take years to finalise. In the interim, they have recently announced the Objective for Canadian Drinking Water Quality – per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
This objective was issued in August 2024 due to growing health concerns about PFAS, and it follows Canada’s protocol for addressing such concerns about contaminants faster than the guideline process allows. In such cases, Canada Health collaborates with relevant provincial and territorial governments to establish an objective to reduce exposure from drinking water while guidelines arebeing revised or developed. The new objective for PFAS aims to set a goal for a maximum level of certain PFAS in drinking water and is based on a review of the available scientific research on the Impact of PFAS on drinking water quality and international regulatory information.
People living in Canada are exposed to multiple PFAS simultaneously, and there is concern that exposure to PFAS could be associated with cumulative effects. Therefore, the objective represents a precautionary group-based approach, establishing limits based on a sum of PFAS detected in drinking water.
The objective for PFAS in drinking water recommends:
- The objective value of 30 ng/L for the sum of 25 specified PFAS, to help reduce exposure.
- Monitoring for PFAS to be conducted annually, at minimum.
- Testing for PFAS, which is highly specialized, to be conducted by a laboratory that is accredited for this analysis.
- The use of US EPA Method 533 or an alternative method measuring the 25 PFAS listed that has been approved by the responsible jurisdiction.
- Considerations for treatment to remove or minimize PFAS in water supplies.
The objective will remain in place until the new, updated Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality are published. ALS is an accredited expert in PFAS analysis and conducts the method in the objective recommended by Health Canada.
Read the Objective for Canadian Drinking Water Quality – per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
Updated PFAS monitoring requirements in the UK
The UK’s Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) has announced that guidelines for monitoring and mitigating PFAS have been updated. Water companies are expected to consider the effect of combined concentrations of PFAS chemicals of interest in drinking water and include “sum of” 48 PFAS.
In addition, monitoring by water companies has highlighted a further PFAS of potential concern – 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonamide alkylbetaine (6:2 FTAB), which has now been added as the 48th PFAS on the DWI’s list of PFAS chemicals of interest.
Companies operating in the UK are expected to implement “sum of” PFAS reporting, as well as monitoring of 6:2 FTAB by 1 January 2025.
Toxicity values of new PFAS added to EPA screening level guidance in the US
In November 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) updated its Regional Screening Level (RSL) tables for chemical contaminants at Superfund sites. Superfund is the EPA’s program designed to investigate and clean up sites contaminated with hazardous substances. New chemicals added to the RSL tables include several forms of perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA).
Based on an assessment by the EPA’s Integrated risk information system (IRIS) program, which identifies and characterizes the health hazards of chemicals found in the environment, five forms of PFDA (a PFAS that contaminates the environment as a breakdown product of stain- and grease-proof coatings on food packaging, couches, carpets and other consumer goods) have been added as chemicals with toxicity values to the RSL tables:
- Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) was added, with a chronic and subchronic reference dose (RfD).
- Perfluorodecanoate was added, with a chronic and subchronic RfD based on molecular weight adjustment from PFDA.
- Ammonium perfluorodecanoate was added, with a chronic and subchronic RfD based on molecular weight adjustment from PFDA.
- Potassium perfluorodecanoate was added, with a chronic and subchronic RfD based on molecular weight adjustment from PFDA.
- Sodium perfluorodecanoate was added, with a chronic and subchronic RfD based on molecular weight adjustment from PFDA.
The RSL tables serve as a screening level calculation tool to assist risk assessors, remedial project managers, and others involved with risk assessment and decision-making at Superfund sites in developing or refining screening levels. Screening levels are also used when a potential site is initially investigated to determine if potentially significant levels of contamination are present to warrant further investigation. Identifying screening levels of PFAS is part of the EPA’s recommended approach for developing PFAS remediation goals.
New restrictions on the use of a sub-group of PFAS chemicals in the EU
Similar to Canada’s issuance of the new PFAS objective prior to completing its updated drinking water guidelines, the European Union (EU) has announced new, limited PFAS restrictions that go into effect immediately and are not contingent on the EU’s in-progress assessment of potential restrictions on a broader group of PFAS.
In September 2024, the EU Commission announced the adoption of new measures to protect human health and the environment by restricting the use of two PFAS sub-groups: Perfluorohexanoic acid (‘PFHxA') and PFHxA related substances. The new restriction was based on a scientific assessment by the European Chemical Agency (ECHA) and has successfully passed the scrutiny of the European Parliament and Council.
The EU has determined that the use of these PFAS in certain products poses an unacceptable risk to human health and the environment. The restriction focuses on circumstances where risk is not adequately controlled, alternatives are available, and the costs of restriction are limited compared to health and environmental benefits. The sale and use of PFHxA will be banned in clothing, food packaging, waterproofing sprays, cosmetics and other products.
The EU considers the PFHxA restriction “an important step forward in reducing PFAS emissions, since PFHxA is often used as substitution for another PFAS, perfluorooctanoic acid, or ‘PFOA',” which is already banned in Europe. The restriction will take effect after transitional periods of between 18 months and 5 years, depending on the use, allowing time for replacement by safer alternatives.
New findings from International evaluation of PFAS carcinogenicity
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the cancer agency of the World Health Organization (WHO), has evaluated the carcinogenicity of two PFAS: PFOA and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS).
In November, 2023, a Working Group of 30 international experts from 11 countries was convened by the IARC Monographs program to conduct a cancer hazard evaluation of PFOA and PFOS.
Among the PFAS most ubiquitously present in the environment, PFOA and PFOS contaminate food, drinking-water, and consumer products. At contaminated sites, drinking-water is the main exposure source for the general population. Exposures are expected to be highest among workers involved in producing PFOA or PFOS or using these chemicals in the manufacture of other products. Some countries have already introduced restrictions on the use of PFOA and PFOS, such as the EU’s aforementioned PFOA ban.
After thoroughly reviewing the extensive published literature, the Working Group has classified PFOA as carcinogenic to humans and PFOS as possibly carcinogenic to humans.
Read a summary of the IARC’s final evaluations in The Lancet Oncology. The detailed assessment will be published in late 2024 as Volume 135 of the IARC Monographs.
Talk to us about your questions, concerns and needs. Ask about our full-service PFAS testing and analysis services as well as affordable screening options. We know what you’re up against, and we are ready to help you meet the challenges ahead.
After thoroughly reviewing the extensive published literature, the Working Group has classified PFOA as carcinogenic to humans and PFOS as possibly carcinogenic to humans.
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