EPA Actions to Address PFAS
PFAS News Releases
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, EPA has restored scientific integrity and accelerated the pace of research and actions needed to tackle the PFAS crisis and protect American communities.
Since January 2021, EPA has taken bold actions, including:
Initiation of Two Rulemaking Efforts Under RCRA
- In October 2021, EPA announced important steps toward evaluating the existing data for four PFAS under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and strengthening the ability to clean up PFAS contamination across the country through the RCRA corrective action process.
Final Human Health Toxicity Assessment for GenX Chemicals
- In October 2021, the Agency published a final human health toxicity assessment for GenX chemicals that was authored by expert career scientists and underwent rigorous external peer review and public comment.
National PFAS Testing Strategy
- In October 2021, EPA announced that the Agency is developing a national PFAS testing strategy that intends to use its Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) authorities to require PFAS manufacturers to provide information on PFAS.
PFBA Toxicity Assessment Released for Public Comment
- In August 2021, EPA released a draft assessment of the human health hazards of PFBA for public comment and external peer review.
Released Preliminary Toxics Release Inventory Data on PFAS
- In July 2021, EPA released the first set of preliminary data for PFAS ever collected under the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI). The agency collected data for more than 170 PFAS and is working to further enhance the quality and quantity of reporting under the TRI by removing certain exemptions and exclusions.
Rule Development for designating PFOA/PFOS as CERCLA Hazardous Substances
- In June 2021, EPA restarted the process to designate PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances, one of the most important steps the Agency can take to increase our understanding of the number and location of PFOA and PFOS releases.
Expanding Data Collection Efforts on PFAS
- In June 2021, EPA proposed a rule to require all manufacturers (including importers) of PFAS in any year since 2011 to give EPA a wide range of data, including on how they are using certain PFAS.
EPA Council on PFAS
- On April 27, 2021, Administrator Regan called for the creation of a new “EPA Council on PFAS” that is charged with building on the agency’s ongoing work to better understand and ultimately reduce the potential risks caused by these chemicals.
Updated Toxicity Assessment for PFBS
- In April 2021, the Agency published an updated toxicity assessment for PFBS that was authored by expert career scientists and underwent rigorous external peer review.
Robust Review Process for new PFAS
- In April 2021, EPA took an important step to protect communities from new PFAS entering the market by announcing an important policy shift in its expedited review of new PFAS.
Establishing a National Primary Drinking Water Standard for PFOA/PFOS
- In February 2021, EPA published a final determination to regulate PFOA and PFOS while also evaluating additional PFAS and considering regulatory actions to address groups of PFAS.
Planning to Conduct Expanded Nationwide Monitoring
for PFAS in Drinking Water
- In February 2021, EPA reproposed and began developing the final Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 5) to provide new data on 29 PFAS that are critically needed to improve EPA’s understanding of PFAS impacts on community drinking water.