As follow-up to the PFAS monitoring and occurrence study undertaken in 2021, VDH, through the Office of Drinking Water (ODW) is undertaking a Phase 2 PFAS Sampling Program beginning in July 2022, through September 2023. The purpose of this sampling program is to collect additional data on the occurrence of PFAS in Virginia public drinking water supplies, to help Virginia waterworks prepare to address PFAS.
In October 2020, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) convened a Virginia PFAS Workgroup comprising of representatives from waterworks, advocacy groups, chemical manufacturers, non-governmental environmental organizations, subject matter experts, and the general public. More details on this can be found at www.vdh.virginia.gov/drinking-water/pfas. ODW’s report to the General Assembly on the occurrence of PFAS in Virginia’s drinking water can be found at https://rga.lis.virginia.gov/Published/2021/RD877.
Phase 2 sampling consists of a hybrid sampling approach, with a goal of sampling at approximately 400 entry points at:
- Surface water sources at community waterworks;
- GUDI sources at community waterworks;
- Groundwater sources at potential risk from PFAS contamination; and
- Groundwater sources at selected small (serving less than 500 persons) community waterworks.
VDH-ODW staff conducted sampling for PFAS at the entry point to the distribution systems. VDH-ODW staff reached out to the selected waterworks to schedule the sampling. VDH contracted with an external laboratory to perform all analyses for the study. The laboratory returned results to VDH following analysis. Following QA/QC review of the laboratory reports, VDH-ODW will share the reports with waterworks. Waterworks will bear no expenses for this sampling.
VDH-ODW will compile and review the sampling results and perform appropriate quality assurance/quality control procedures. VDH will provide technical assistance throughout this process to the waterworks.
If you have questions about the Phase 2 PFAS sampling program, please contact:
Robert Edelman, PE
Director of Technical Services, 804-864-7490 |
Dwayne Roadcap
Office Director, VDH Office of Drinking Water 804-338-0371 Dwayne.Roadcap@vdh.virginia.gov |
On March 14, 2023 EPA released the proposed National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for PFOA and PFOS, along with four additional PFAS. EPA is proposing to set a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 4 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOA and 4 ppt for PFOS. In addition to these two MCLs, EPA is proposing to address four additional PFAS (GenX, PFBS, PFNA, and PFHxS) as a mixture using a Hazard Index. The Hazard Index is a tool typically used to evaluate potential health risks from exposure to chemical mixtures. This approach has been used in other EPA programs, such as the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), but this is the first time it has been used for a drinking water standard. Additionally, EPA is proposing Maximum Contaminant Level Goals (MCLGs) for each of the six PFAS. A breakdown of the MCLs and MCLGs is shown on the table below.
PFAS Compound |
Proposed MCLG |
Proposed MCL |
PFOA |
0 ppt |
4.0 ppt |
PFOS |
0 ppt |
4.0 ppt |
PFNA |
1.0 (unitless Hazard Index) |
1.0 (unitless Hazard Index) |
PFHxS |
||
PFBS |
||
HFPO-DA (GenX) |
For the Hazard Index, the rule proposes a ratio for each of the four PFAS to be used to calculate a compliance value based on detected levels of the four PFAS. If the sum of those four ratios is at or above 1.0, then water systems will be expected to reduce the levels of these PFAS. Depending on the level of contamination found, water systems may need to take action even if only one of the four PFAS is present. EPA will be creating a webpage with a calculator tool for water systems to determine their Hazard Index.
Following publication in the Federal Register, a 60-days public comment opened. EPA will held two informational webinars about the proposed PFAS NDPWR on March 16, 2023, and March 29, 2023. The webinars were similar, with each intended for specific audiences. The webinar recordings and presentation materials are available here.
EPA held a public hearing on May 4, 2023, where members of the public could provide verbal comments to EPA on the rule proposal. A recording of the public hearing is available here.
EPA has provided facts sheets for the public and FAQs specifically for primacy agencies to help with the rollout of this proposal. See the links below:
- Proposed PFAS NPDWR FAQs for Drinking Water Primacy Agencies
- Fact Sheet: EPA’s Proposal to Limit PFAS in Drinking Water
- Proposed PFAS NPDWR Frequently Asked Questions and Answers (for the public)
Drinking Water
- The VDH Office of Drinking Water is working closely with water utility providers to monitor the water that is provided to Virginia residents.
- Health advisories are not enforceable and are provided so that state and tribal agencies can make informed decisions.
- According to the EPA, public water systems without detectable levels of PFOA and PFOS should continue to monitor for PFAS if they are concerned about potential contamination, but EPA is not recommending additional actions.
- VDH advises Public Water Systems that detect PFAS in their drinking water to take steps to inform customers, undertake additional sampling to assess the level, scope, and source of contamination, and examine steps to limit exposure.
- Activated carbon, Ion exchange and high-pressure membranes have been demonstrated to remove PFAS from drinking water systems.
- The EPA is not recommending bottled water for communities based solely on concentrations of PFAS in drinking water that exceed the health advisory levels. In addition, the Food and Drug Administration has not established standards for contaminants such as PFAS in bottled water.
Resources
- RD681 - Establishing Regulatory Limits for PFAS, Chromium (VI), and 1,4-Dioxane in Virginia Drinking Water – October 1, 2021
- RD877 - Study of the Occurrence of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in the Commonwealth’s Public Drinking Water – December 1, 2021
- VA PFAS Sample Study Summary
- VA PFAS Workgroup Meeting Minutes - Sept 10, 2021
- US EPA PFAS Webpage
- Virginia PFAS Sampling Training
- Well
- Rainwater Cistern
- Spring
- Pond
- Hauled Water
- Community water systems serve at least 15 service connections used by year-round residents or regularly serve at least 25 year-round residents. Examples include cities, mobile home parks and nursing homes.
- Non-transient, non-community systems serve at least 25 of the same persons over six months per year. Examples include schools, hospitals and factories.
- Affect growth, learning, and behavior of infants and children;
- Lower a woman’s chance of getting pregnant;
- Interfere with the body’s natural hormones;
- Increase cholesterol levels;
- Affect the immune system; or
- Increase the risk of certain cancers.
- Interim updated health advisory for PFOA = 0.004 ppt
- Interim updated health advisory for PFOS = 0.02 ppt
- Final health advisory for GenX chemicals = 10 ppt
- Final health advisory for PFBS = 2,000 ppt
- Should I be concerned about my health?
- Should I stop breastfeeding my infant?
- Is my water safe for bathing/showering?
- Can PFAS be boiled out of my water?
- Should I drink bottled water?
Chemical | Minimum Reporting Level (ppt) | Lifetime Health Advisory Level (ppt) |
PFOA | 4 | 0.004 (Interim) |
PFOS | 4 | 0.02 (Interim) |
GenX Chemicals | 5 | 10 (Final) |
PFBS | 3 | 2,000 (Final) |
Consistent with EPA’s mission and responsibility to protect public health, EPA is issuing these interim health advisories for PFOA and PFOS to help inform the public of new scientific information on these chemicals’ health effects.
EPA continues to conduct extensive evaluations of human epidemiological and experimental animal study data to support the development of a National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for PFOA and PFOS. In November 2021, EPA released draft updated health effects analyses for PFOA and PFOS; these analyses are undergoing Science Advisory Board (SAB) review. EPA evaluated over 400 peer-reviewed studies published since 2016 and used new approaches, tools, and models to identify and evaluate the information.
Based on the new data and draft analyses, the levels at which negative health effects could occur are much lower than previously understood when EPA issued the 2016 Health Advisories for PFOA and PFOS (70 ppt) – including near zero for certain health effects.
In light of this new information, including peer-reviewed scientific studies, EPA also announced in November 2021 that the agency would move quickly to update the 2016 Health Advisories for PFOA and PFOS to reflect the new science and draft EPA analyses. To deliver on this commitment, EPA is issuing interim updated health advisories based on the draft 2021 analyses that are undergoing review by the SAB. The interim health advisories replace the 2016 final health advisories for PFOA and PFOS. EPA is working hard to review and respond to the draft SAB comments as the agency moves forward to develop Maximum Contaminant Level Goals (MCLGs) to support the development of a National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for PFOA and PFOS. At that time, EPA may update or remove the interim health advisories for PFOA and PFOS based on the best available science. Because the available health effects data indicate a number of different adverse effects resulting from exposure to very low levels of PFOA or PFOS, the health-based water values (health advisories and MCLGs) are likely to remain below the detection limit.
If you are concerned about PFAS in your drinking water, EPA recommends you contact your local water utility to learn more about your drinking water and to see whether they have monitoring data for PFAS or can provide any specific recommendations for your community.
If you own a home drinking water well, EPA recommends learning more about how to protect and maintain your well for all contaminants of concern. For information on home drinking water wells visit: www.epa.gov/safewater.
Additionally, if you are concerned about levels of PFAS found in your drinking water, consider actions that may reduce your exposure including installing a home or point of use filter or using an alternative water source, if possible, while steps are being taken to further understand levels of concern and potentially regulate PFAS at the national level.
The lower the levels of PFOA and PFOS, the lower the risk. This means that while PFOA and PFOS may be present in drinking water in trace concentrations that cannot be measured, water provided by these systems that test but do not detect PFOA or PFOS is of lower risk than if they are found at measurable levels.
EPA recommends that public water systems that find PFOA or PFOS in their drinking water take steps to inform customers, undertake additional sampling to assess the level, scope, and source of contamination, and examine steps to limit exposure. While water systems may not be able to eliminate all risks from PFOA and PFOS, they can successfully reduce those risks.
The studies that were the basis for these health advisory levels investigated the impacts of PFOA and PFOS exposure on children’s response to the tetanus and the diphtheria vaccines. It is important to note that these studies did not measure infection or illness rates, only response to vaccinations. The available studies suggest that PFOA or PFOS exposure at specific life stages and dose levels may affect the ability of children or adults to respond to vaccines, in general. However, the scientific literature review did not include studies that assessed the impact of these chemical exposures on response specifically to vaccines against COVID-19 infection or illness rates.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) has released the following statement on the health effects of PFAS and COVID-19.
“CDC/ATSDR understands that many of the communities we are engaged with are concerned about how PFAS exposure may affect their risk of COVID-19 infection. We agree that this is an important question. CDC/ATSDR recognizes that exposure to high levels of PFAS may impact the immune system. There is evidence from human and animal studies that PFAS exposure may reduce antibody responses to vaccines (Grandjean et al., 2017, Looker et al., 2014), and may reduce infectious disease resistance (NTP, 2016). Because COVID-19 is a new public health concern, there is still much we don’t know. More research is needed to understand how PFAS exposure may affect illness from COVID-19.”
EPA continues to conduct research and monitor advances in testing technology, methods, and techniques that may improve our ability to measure PFAS at lower levels. A list of laboratories that met the fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 5) laboratory approval program application and proficiency testing criteria for methods 533 and 537.1 is available at https://www.epa.gov/dwucmr/list-laboratories-approved-epa- fifth-unregulated-contaminant-monitoring-rule-ucmr-5
Activated carbon, anion exchange and high-pressure membranes have all been demonstrated to remove PFAS from drinking water systems. These treatment technologies can be installed at a water system’s treatment plant and are also available in-home filter options. Each of the four Health Advisory documents identifies the treatment technologies that have been demonstrated to remove the specific PFAS and the factors that impact performance of the technologies. You can find more about these treatment technologies here.
EPA’s health advisories reflect our analysis of the best available, peer-reviewed science and provide non-regulatory and non-enforceable information to assist federal, state, Tribal and local officials, and managers of public or community drinking water systems in protecting public health when spills or contamination situations occur. States may issue different values based on their own analyses. For more information about the science and process EPA used to determine its health advisory values, see EPA’s Drinking Water Health Advisory Documents here.
PFOA and PFOS were widely used to make carpets, clothing, fabrics for furniture, paper packaging for food and other materials that are resistant to water, grease or stains. They were also used for firefighting at airfields and in a number of industrial processes. Many of these uses were phased out by U.S. manufacturers in the mid-2000s but some uses remain. GenX chemicals are replacements for PFOA, and PFBS is a replacement for PFOS.
Most people have been exposed to these chemicals through consumer products but drinking water can be an additional source of exposure in communities where these chemicals have contaminated water supplies.
The Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities Grant Program complements nearly $1 billion in FY22 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) State Revolving Fund (SRF) funding dedicated specifically to addressing emerging contaminants like PFAS, the first of $5 billion between now and 2026. Communities can also use funding through the general and BIL supplemental SRF, totaling over $23 billion over the next 5 years to address emerging contaminants in water.
The VDH Office of Drinking Water PFAS webpage and DWSRF page contain more information on the available resources including funding.
House Bill (HB) 586, 2020 Acts of Assembly Chapter 611, requires the State Health Commissioner to convene a workgroup to study the occurrence of six specific PFAS, including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorobutyrate (PFBA), perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA), perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and other PFAS, as deemed necessary, that may be present in drinking water from waterworks, identify possible sources of such contamination, and evaluate approaches to regulating PFAS. The PFAS Workgroup may recommend maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for inclusion in regulations of the Board of Health applicable to waterworks.
The legislation requires the workgroup to “determine current levels of PFOA, PFOS, PFBA, PFHpA, PFHxS, PFNA, and other PFAS, as deemed necessary, contamination in the Commonwealth’s public drinking water, provided that in making such determination of current levels, the Department of Health shall sample no more than 50 representative waterworks and major sources of water[.]” As this refers specifically to “public drinking water” and “waterworks,” the workgroup’s efforts will focus on “water supplies” and “waterworks,” as those terms are defined in the Public Water Supplies Law, Code of Virginia§ 32.1-167, and Waterworks Regulations, 12VAC5-590-10.[1] The PFAS Workgroup must report its findings to the Governor and legislative committees by December 1, 2021. HB1257, 2020 Acts of Assembly Chapter 1097, directs the Board of Health to adopt regulations establishing MCLs for PFOA, PFOS, and other PFAS as it deems necessary; hence, the PFAS Workgroup’s recommendations for MCLs is a critical objective.
PFAS Workgroup Members | Updated October 19, 2020 | ||
Category | Name | Organization | |
1 | Community Waterworks serving > 50,000 consumers | Chris Harbin/Jillian Terhune | Norfolk Department of Public Utilities |
2 | Community Waterworks serving > 50,000 consumers | David Jurgen | City of Chesapeake Department of Public Utilities |
3 | Community Waterworks serving > 50,000 consumers | Jamie Bain Hedges | DGM., Fairfax Water |
4 | Community Waterworks service > 50,000 consumers | Mike Hotaling | Newport News |
5 | Community Waterorks serving > 50,000 consumers | Michael McEvoy | Western Virginia Water Authority (Roanoke Area) |
6 | Community Waterworks serving ˃ 50,000 consumers | Jessica Edwards-Brandt | Loudoun Water |
7 | Community Waterworks service > 50,000 consumers (Advocacy Group That Represents Waterworks) | Russ Navratil/Geneva Hudgins | VW AWWA/Henrico County |
8 | Community Waterworks serving 50,000 consumers (Private Company) | Christian Volk | Virginia American Water |
9 | Community Waterworks serving < 50,000 consumers (Private Company) | John J. Aulbach/Dan Hingley | Aqua Virginia |
10 | Community Waterworks serving < 50,000 consumers | Mark Estes | Halifax County PSA |
11 | Community Waterworks serving < 1,000 consumers | Wendy Eikenberry | Augusta County Service Authority |
12 | Advocacy Group that represents Waterworks | Andrea W. Wortzel | Mission H2O |
13 | Advocacy Group that represents Waterworks | Steve Herzog/Paul Nyffler | Virginia Water Environment Association |
14 | Manufacturer with Chemical Experience | Stephen P. Risotto Henry Bryndza | American Chemistry Council |
15 | Environmental Organization | Anna Killius | James River Association |
16 | Environmental Organization | Phillip Musegaas | Potomac Riverkeeper Network |
17 | Environmental Organization | Michael Town Christopher Leyen | Virginia League of Conservation Voters |
18 | VDEQ Representative | Jeff Steers | Virginia Department of Environmental Quality |
19 | Consumer of Public Drinking Water | Dr. William Mann | Commonwealth Citizen |
20 | VDH ODW Staff -Technical Expert | Robert Edelman | Director of Technical Services |
21 | Virginia State Toxicologist | Dwight Flammia | State Toxicologist |
22 | VDH Local Health Department | Noelle Bissell | Director, New River Health District |
23 | VDH ODW Staff | Dan Horne | SEVFO Director |
24 | Facilitator | Dwayne Roadcap/Nelson Daniel | VDH Director, Office of Drinking Water |
25 | Organizer / Chair | Tony Singh | VDH Deputy Director, Office of Drinking Water |
VA PFAS Meetings:
VA PFAS Workgroup and sub group meeting agenda, minutes and recordings are available here:
Workgroup Meetings:
Virginia PFAS Workgroup Meeting | Meeting Agenda & Meeting Minutes | Meeting Recording |
---|---|---|
October 20, 2020 | Click Here | N/A |
January 19, 2021 | Click Here | Recording |
March 04 2021 | Agenda / Minutes | Recording |
April 29, 2021 | Agenda | N/A |
July 27,2021 | Click Here | Recording |
September 10, 2021 | Click Here | Recording |
Subgrouproup Meetings:
PFAS Subgroup Name & Date | Health & Toxicology | Occurence & Monitoring | Policy & Regulations | Treatment Technologies |
---|---|---|---|---|
December 2020 | MeetingAgenda & Meeting Minutes Recording |
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January 2021 | MeetingAgenda & Meeting Minutes Recording |
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February 2021 | MeetingAgenda & Meeting Minutes Recording |
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March 2021 | MeetingAgenda & Meeting Minutes Recording |
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April 2021 | MeetingAgenda & Meeting Minutes Recording |
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The Workgroup is in the process of designing a PFAS Sampling & Monitoring study in Virginia drinking water. Per HB586, no more than 50 waterworks and/or water sources will be covered under this sampling event. Selection of such waterworks and water sources will be based on two major criteria i.e. protecting public health, and maximum risk reduction.
Sample Training Webinar slides from April 14, 2021: Sampling for PFAS & What to Expect after Sampling
Below is the VA PFAS Sampling Training Video.
PFAS Resources by Type
- US. EPA Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances webpage
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and Your Health webpage
- Department of Development Environment, Safety and Occupational Health Network and Information Exchange Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) webpage
- US. Food and Drug Administration information on PFAS in food and food packaging
- Association of State Drinking Water Administrators Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) State Drinking Water Program Challenges webpage
- Interstate Technology Regulatory Council (ITRC) PFAS — Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances webpage
- Association of State Drinking Water Administrators
- National Groundwater Association Groundwater and PFAS webpage
- National Academy of Sciences
PFAS may enter a person’s body when they drink water or eat food that has been contaminated with PFAS. Unborn babies may be exposed to PFAS if their mother ingests PFAS while she is pregnant, and babies may be exposed through breastmilk. Inhalation of PFAS contaminated water can be a source of industrial exposures for employees (see the Business and Employee Exposure section below). PFAS are also present in many consumer products. Studies in humans and animals show that there may be negative health effects from exposure to certain PFAS. Completely stopping exposure to PFAS is not practical, because they are so common and present throughout the world.
- Affect growth, learning, and behavior of infants and children;
- Lower a woman’s chance of getting pregnant;
- Interfere with the body’s natural hormones;
- Increase cholesterol levels;
- Affect the immune system; or
- Increase the risk of certain cancers.
- Nonstick cookware, like pots and pans
- Furniture and carpet that is stain-resistant
- Clothing treated with water, stain, or dirt repellant
- Non-stick food packaging, like French fry cartons, microwave popcorn bags, and pizza boxes
- Makeup and other personal care products that have ingredients with “fluoro” or “perfluoro” in the name
- Tell you where or how you were exposed to PFAS found in your body;
- Tell you what, if any, health problems might occur or have occurred because of PFAS in your body; or
- Be used by your doctor to guide treatment decisions.
- Most people in the U.S. have measurable amounts of PFAS in their body because PFAS are commonly used in commercial and industrial products.
- The PFAS blood test is not a clinical test and cannot tell you whether your health has been or will be affected.
- Many health issues associated with PFAS, such as increased cholesterol and decreased thyroid hormone levels, commonly occur in the population as a whole – even when not associated with high levels of PFAS in the blood.
- These health issues can be caused by many factors, and there is no way to know or predict if PFAS exposure has or will cause your health problem.
- If you have specific health concerns, please consult your doctor for the best treatment choices for you.
- It is complicated to get a PFAS blood test.
- It is not a routine clinical test, so you would need to contact a private lab directly to arrange the test and it is unlikely that insurance would cover the cost.
- There are hundreds of PFAS around us. Labs can only test for a small number of PFAS in blood.
- Vista Analytical Laboratory; 916-673-1520,vista-analytical.com
- Quest Diagnostics; 1-866-697-8378;questdiagnostics.com
- SGS AXYS; 1-888-373-0881;sgsaxys.com
- At the point of entry (POE) where treatment all of the water entering the household plumbing system occurs, or;
- At the point of use (POU) which is often at the kitchen sink or primary source of water for drinking or cooking (potentially also including a water line to the refrigerator if it has a plumbed in water line).
Robert Edelman, PE
Director, Division of Technical Services
Phone: (804) 864-7490
Email: Robert.Edelman@vdh.virginia.gov
Dwayne Roadcap
Office Director, VDH Office of Drinking Water
Phone: (804) 864-7522