EPA Releases New PFOA, PFOS Guidelines

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has released new health advisoriesfor PFOA and PFOS, the manufacturing chemicals at the center of water contamination crises in several communities in the region including Hoosick Falls, Petersburgh, and North Bennington. The guidelines released today lower the lifetime exposure from drinking water level to 70 parts per trillion. The level of PFOA in affected areas has been much higher than the new benchmark, leading communities to establish alternate water supplies. High exposure can result in cancer, birth defects and other diseases.“I am pleased that the EPA has heeded my call to release updated drinking water health advisories for the highly-toxic chemicals PFOA and PFOS," New York U.S. Senator Charles Schumer said in a statement. "Communities like Hoosick Falls, Petersburgh and Newburgh understand all too well the uncertainty and anxiety that contamination from these chemicals can cause. The EPA’s new guidance will go a long way in protecting public health and arming local officials with the most up-to-date information to keep our drinking water safe from harmful contaminates.”