Provisional Health Advisories for Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS)

EPA recently concluded limited testing of agricultural sites in Alabama where sewage sludge was applied from a local wastewater treatment plant that receives wastewater from numerous industrial sources, including facilities that manufacture and use perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and other perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs). The results from this limited testing indicated elevated levels of PFCs in the sludge and the soil that received the sludge. As a result, EPA has conducted sampling of public drinking water. The levels of PFOA and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) recently analyzed in community water systems in Lawrence and Morgan Counties are all lower than 0.04 ppb. Based on its current understanding, EPA believes these levels are not of concern and residents may rely upon public water systems. EPA will soon begin groundwater and surface water sampling to determine if PFOA or PFOS has migrated into any private drinking water supplies and ponds in the affected area.