Should NH have stricter PFOA standards?

A New Jersey committee has recommended a limit of 14 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOA in drinking water. That is much lower than the standard New Hampshire is using, 70 ppt.

PFOA is a chemical used in firefighting foam, nonstick cookware, stain-resistant carpeting, and many other products.

The long-term health effects of PFOA are not fully understood. While almost everyone has small amounts of PFOA in their body, some studies suggest long-term exposure is linked to cancer and other health problems.

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES) started testing for PFOA in drinking water this year after Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics reported elevated PFOA in the water at its plant in Merrimack.

The federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) subsequently issued a health advisory recommending no more than 70 ppt of PFOA in drinking water. That health advisory is not a legally enforceable standard, so in May the New Hampshire DES adopted an emergency rule setting 70 ppt as the standard for PFOA in groundwater. DES is now evaluating 70 ppt for a permanent rule.

In New Jersey, the Drinking Water Quality Institute just advised the state’s Department of Environmental Protection to adopt a lower standard, 14 ppt. In a lengthy review of scientific studies, the Institute concluded, “data suggest that continued human exposure to even relatively low concentrations of PFOA in drinking water results in elevated body burdens that increase the risk of health effects, indicating a need for caution about exposures from drinking water.” 

However, the EPA conducted a similar review of studies and concluded that the 70 ppt limit was adequate for human safety. According to their website, “This health advisory level offers a margin of protection for all Americans from adverse health effects for a lifetime of exposure to PFOA and PFOS in drinking water at this level.” 

Where would you set the limit for PFOA in drinking water? Share your opinion in the comments.