News Releases from Headquarters›Research and Development (ORD)

EPA Launches Cross-Agency Effort to Address PFAS

WASHINGTON –Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing a cross-agency effort to address per and polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). PFAS, which includes PFOA, PFOS and GenX, are a diverse group of compounds resistant to heat, water, and oil that are persistent in the environment and resist degradation.

“Protecting public health is EPA’s highest priority and through these efforts we are taking the lead to ensure that communities across the country have the tools they need to address these chemicals,” said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. “The work we are doing shows our commitment to clean air, land, and water and to working side-by-side with our state, local, and tribal partners.”

As part of the agency’s work, EPA will:

• Identify a set of near-term actions that EPA will take to help support local communities.
• Enhance coordination with states, tribes and federal partners to provide communities with critical information and tools to address PFAS.
• Increase ongoing research efforts to identify new methods for measuring PFAS and filling data gaps.
• Expand proactive communications efforts with states, tribes, partners and the American public about PFAS and their health effects.

EPA's efforts will build on the work that the Agency has done to establish non-regulatory drinking water health advisories for PFOA and PFOS. The Agency’s water and research offices will lead these efforts and they will bring together expertise from across the Agency including top scientists from EPA’s air, chemicals, land, research, and water offices. In addition to a cross-program effort, EPA is also tapping its regional offices to enhance cooperation with partners at the state and local levels and to provide on-the-ground knowledge about specific issues—and address PFAS nationwide.

Additional information: https://www.epa.gov/pfas