DEP STATEMENT ON U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY PFAS ACTIONS

(19/P008) TRENTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s announcement today is disappointing at a time when there is a critical need to address perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) known to be present in America’s drinking water. The Trump Administration is leaving millions of Americans exposed to harmful chemicals for too long by choosing a drawn-out process that will delay establishing a federal maximum contaminant level (MCL) for PFAS.

New Jersey continues to lead the nation in comprehensively protecting residents from the risks posed by the PFAS family of chemicals. In September 2018, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection established the nation’s first-ever MCL for perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA). By this spring, the DEP will propose the nation’s first MCLs and ground water quality standards for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS). In addition, the DEP is currently accepting public comments on interim rules that will enable the state to compel clean-up of groundwater contaminated with PFOA or PFOS. Read the DEP’s announcement here:  https://www.nj.gov/dep/dsr/ISGWQC_Public_Comment_PFOS_PFOA.html

While some EPA action on PFAS is encouraging, New Jersey cannot wait for the federal government to address the risks posed by these chemicals. We call on the EPA to act more expeditiously. In the meantime, the DEP will continue to lead the way in enacting strict standards to protect the health and welfare of New Jerseyans and their environment.