In response to U.S. EPA’s health advisory on perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is proposing the nation’s first enforceable PFOA drinking water standard. PFOA, a toxic non-stick chemical used broadly in consumer and industrial applications, has been linked to negative health effects including cancer.
The New Jersey Drinking Water Quality Institute (DWQI) conducted its own study and is recommending a much stricter maximum contaminant level (MCL) than EPA for PFOA exposure in drinking water—14 parts per trillion. The DWQI released a supporting document discussing the details of the study and factors considered in developing its health-based MCL.
