Contaminants of Emerging Concern
Contaminants of emerging concern are those chemicals that recently have been shown to occur in the environment and have been identified as a potential environmental
or public health risk. New analytical capabilities have allowed scientists to identify chemicals in the environment in extremely low concentrations.
Contaminants of emerging concern are used in everyday products in our homes, on our farms, in our businesses, or by industry in commercial processes. These compounds
are found in detergents, non-stick pans, stain-resistant and waterproof fabrics, fragrances, prescription and nonprescription drugs, disinfectants, and pesticides. Some
of these contaminants are unintended byproducts from the manufacturing process, so it may not be obvious that these contaminants are in the products people are using.
To comply with the Technical Requirements for Site Remediation (N.J.A.C. 7:26E), all contamination, including all discharged hazardous substances, hazardous wastes, and
pollutants, must be addressed. Contaminants of emerging concern, if discharged to the waters or onto the lands of the State, are pollutants that must be remediated using
a Licensed Site Remediation Professional (LSRP) even if the contaminant is not a hazardous substance. When the site or area of concern under remediation is currently or
was formerly occupied by facilities that manufactured, stored, handled, or used contaminants of emerging concern, LSRPs must consider these contaminants during the
investigation and remedial action. LSRPs must evaluate the site for potential spills and releases through air, water, and waste discharges.
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Background
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been used in a wide variety of industrial and commercial processes and products, including, but not limited to,
electroplating and metal finishing (e.g., chromium plating), vapor/mist suppression, stain repellants, electronics, aerospace, automotive, insecticide/herbicides,
adhesives/varnish/paints, as well as coatings for textiles (fabrics, upholstery, and carpeting) and paper.
Fluoropolymer manufacturing and facilities that used PFAS in industrial and commercial product manufacturing and fluorinated Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) are
considered significant potential sources of PFAS. AFFF containing perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) has been used to extinguish petroleum hydrocarbon fires. AFFF
contamination has been identified at many locations where AFFF products were stored and discharged, including, but not limited to, airports, spill/crash sites, firefighter
training facilities, refineries, and bulk petroleum storage facilities.
The scientific understanding of the toxicity, fate and transport, health effects, and analytical capabilities of PFAS are continuing to advance. PFAS are man-made chemicals
that contain carbon and fluorine atoms of various chain length. PFAS are mobile, persistent, and soluble in water. Certain PFAS can be toxic and bioaccumulate in fish
and/or humans when discharged into the environment. These contaminants at low levels can cause adverse health effects, as they persist (bioaccumulate) in the body for many
years.
For additional general information, please see the links in the Additional Resources section below.
PFAS Standards, Criteria, and Guidance
Standards, criteria, and guidance are developed by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) using assumptions that are protective for exposures over a
lifetime. All measurements below are in nanograms per liter (ng/L) which is equivalent to parts per trillion (ppt).
Perfluorononanoic Acid (PFNA):
In July 2015, the New Jersey Drinking Water Quality Institute (DWQI) recommended a health-based maximum contaminant level (MCL) for perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) of
13 ng/L. The DWQI is an advisory body to the NJDEP that is responsible for recommending MCLs in drinking water. This recommended MCL served as the basis for the interim
specific ground water quality standard for PFNA of 10 ng/L established by NJDEP on November 25, 2015. The interim specific ground water quality standard was replaced by
a permanent, specific ground water quality standard of the same value (10 ng/L) under amendments to the Ground Water Quality Standards regulations adopted on
January 16, 2018. Concurrent adoption of amendments to the Discharge of Petroleum and Other Hazardous Substances regulations (N.J.A.C. 7:1E) added PFNA to the List of
Hazardous Substances. For more information, visit: Ground Water Quality Standards (GWQS).
On August 7, 2017, NJDEP proposed amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act Rules that include establishing a new MCL for PFNA of 13 ng/L. On September 4, 2018, the NJDEP
adopted the MCL and concurrently amended the Ground Water Quality Standard for PFNA to 13 ng/L.
Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA):
In 2007, NJDEP issued a preliminary drinking water guidance level for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) of 40 nanograms per liter (ng/L). In March of 2017, the DWQI
recommended an MCL for PFOA of 14 ng/L. In October 2017, the NJDEP issued an updated drinking water guidance value for PFOA and announced that the NJDEP would accept
the DWQI recommended PFOA MCL of 14 ng/L.
On March 13, 2019, NJDEP established an interim specific ground water quality standard for PFOA of 0.01 ug/L (10 ng/L). The interim specific ground water quality standard
for PFOA became effective upon posting to the "Table of Interim Specific Ground Water Quality Criteria (ISGWQC), Interim PQLs (IPQLs), and Interim Specific Ground Water
Quality Standards (ISGWQS) for Constituents in Class II-A Ground Water" on the NJDEP website at https://www.nj.gov/dep/wms/bears/gwqs.htm.
For more information, visit: Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) in Drinking Water.
Perfluorooctanesulfonic Acid (PFOS):
In November 2017, the DWQI published draft recommendations for a health-based MCL for PFOS of 13 ng/L. In June of 2018, the NJDEP accepted the DWQI recommended PFOS MCL of 13 ng/L.
On March 13, 2019, NJDEP established an interim specific ground water quality standard for PFOS of 0.01 ug/L (10 ng/L). The interim specific ground water quality standard
for PFOS became effective upon posting to the "Table of Interim Specific Ground Water Quality Criteria (ISGWQC), Interim PQLs (IPQLs), and Interim Specific Ground Water
Quality Standards (ISGWQS) for Constituents in Class II-A Ground Water" on the NJDEP website at https://www.nj.gov/dep/wms/bears/gwqs.htm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Additional Resources
General Information:
NJDEP PFAS Studies
Some manufacturers that used the long-chain PFAS have replaced these chemicals with shorter-chained PFAS. For more information, please see:
Health information for PFAS:
Other Resources:
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