A group of 25 Democratic senators sent a letter to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt on April 13 asking for “swift action” to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a diverse group of man-made chemicals that include perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctyl sulfonate (PFOS). The letter listed concerns with EPA’s current use of the lifetime health advisory (LHA) of 70 parts per trillion for the combined concentrations of PFOA and PFOS in drinking water stating, “the LHA is not legally enforceable and cannot be used to determine remediation responsibilities.”
The senators applauded states that have developed their own, more stringent, standards for the chemicals, but are concerned by the lack of federal action. They specifically asked Pruitt to “expeditiously declare an MCL [maximum contaminant level] for all PFAS, based on rigorous scientific evidence.” The senators argued that a science-based MCL would provide a clear and enforceable standard while also informing remediation decisions under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, or CERCLA. The letter concluded by commending EPA for announcing its intention to convene a National Leadership Summit on PFAS in May of this year.