The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has implemented a new, no-cost technical assistance initiative designed to reduce exposure to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other emerging contaminants in small or disadvantaged communities.  

However, while a scientist who is focused on environmental chemistry applauds the EPA initiative, she also urged EPA to test drinking water for other emerging contaminants that are not currently being regulated beyond the six PFAS chemicals the EPA set standards for. 

Laurel Schaider, a senior scientist with the Silent Spring Institute, an independent non-profit research organization investigating links between everyday chemicals and health, told The Driller “EPA is regulating six PFAS in drinking water, but there are other PFAs that are present in drinking water supplies all across the country.” 

On April 10, 2024, the EPA issued a final rule that sets drinking water standards for five individual PFAS substances, including PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, and HFPO-DA.  

In addition, on April 19, 2024, EPA issued a second PFAS rule designating the PFAS substances perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) as hazardous substances because those chemicals have been linked to cancers, immune and developmental damage to infants and children, and has some impact on the liver and heart. 

The six PFAS substances the EPA issued final rules on are “a drop in the bucket compared to the more than 14,000 chemicals classified as PFAS, and they do not protect the 44 million Americans who rely on drinking water from a private well,” said Schaider, who made those remarks prior to testifying on Dec. 5, 2024, at a hearing before the Senate Subcommittee on Chemical Safety, Waste Management, Environmental Justice, and Regulatory Oversight on the impact to public health of PFAS exposure. 

EPA announced the Tackling Emerging Contaminants (TEC) initiative on Nov. 20, 2024, which provides technical water assistance to help eligible public drinking-water systems evaluate emerging contaminant issues, conduct initial water quality testing, and identify next steps in 200 small or disadvantaged communities over the next three years at no cost to the communities, EPA says. 

The TEC initiative builds on EPA’s suite of technical assistance programs and includes diagnostic water quality sampling and analysis, source water assessment, preliminary treatment design and evaluations, operational and sampling training, and identifying solutions to address emerging contaminants and PFAS contamination including community engagement and outreach support, according to EPA. 

Furthermore, EPA says TEC helps communities identify their water challenges, develop plans, build capacity, and develop their application materials to access federal funding. 

Jeremy Pollack, the government affairs director for the Water Quality Association, said under TEC, the EPA will provide local water suppliers with a contractor where they can send water samples for PFAS testing. While the EPA will provide free testing, if the testing reveals an immediate need for PFAS remediation, the water utilities will have to “get in line” for federal funding, Pollack said. 

In addition to testing, EPA says it will share best practices and amplify successes through case studies, fact sheets, webinars, and other resources regarding addressing emerging contaminants, including PFAS. 

Click here to read the announcement.