Laserfiche WebLink
EPA's PFAS Action Plan outlines concrete steps <br />the agency is taking to address PFAS and to <br />protect public health., <br />EPA's Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). <br />Action Plan: <br />• Demonstrates the agency's critical national leadership,. I <br />by providing both short-term solutions and long-term <br />strategies to address this important issue. <br />• Provides a multi -media, multi -program, national research and risk <br />communication plan to address this emerging environmental challenge. <br />• Responds to the extensive public input the agency has received over the past year during the PFAS National <br />Leadership Summit, multiple community engagements, and through the public docket. <br />EPA is taking a proactive, cross -agency approach to addressing PFAS. The key actions EPA is taking to help provide <br />the necessary tools to assist states, tribes, and communities in addressing PFAS are summarized below. <br />I <br />T <br />EPA is moving forward with the Maximum <br />Contaminant Level (MCL) process for PFOA and <br />PFOS—two of the most well-known and prevalent <br />HAS chemicals. The Agency is also gathering and <br />evaluating Information to determine If regulation is <br />appropriate for a broader class of PFAS. <br />The next step in the Safe Drinking WaterAct process <br />for issuing drinking water standards is to propose a <br />regulatory determination. This provides the opportunity <br />for the public to contribute to the information the <br />EPA will consider related to the regulation of PFAS in <br />drinking water. <br />EPA continues strengthening enforcement authorities <br />and clarifying cleanup strategies through actions <br />such as designating PFOA and PFOS as hazardous <br />substances and developing interim groundwater <br />cleanup recommendations. <br />This important work will provide additional tools to help <br />states and communities address existing contamination <br />and enhance the ability to hold responsible parties <br />accountable. <br />EPA is considering the addition of PFAS chemicals to <br />the Toxics Release Inventory and rules to prohibit the <br />uses of certain PFAS chemicals. <br />The Toxics Release Inventory would make information <br />about certain PFAS releases reported by certain <br />industrial sectors and federal facilities available. <br />Additionally, the TSCA new chemicals program will help <br />manage and, as necessary, reduce risk to human health <br />and the environment from new PFAS. <br />')NITOF <br />EPA will propose nationwide drinking water monitoring <br />for PFAS under the next UCMR monitoring cycle. <br />Monitoring results will improve understanding of the <br />frequency and concentration of PFAS occurrence in drinking <br />water, which can be used to inform regulatory action. <br />EPA is rapidly expanding the scientific foundation for <br />understanding and managing risk from PFAS. <br />Improved detection and measurement methods, <br />additional information about PFAS presence in the <br />environment and drinking water, better understanding of <br />effective treatment and remediation methods, and more <br />information about the potential toxicity of a broader set <br />of PFAS will help EPA, states, and others better manage <br />PFAS risks. <br />EPA uses enforcement tools, when appropriate, to <br />address PFAS exposure in the environment and assist <br />states in enforcement activities. <br />EPA seeks to support communities that have PFAS <br />releases by using federal enforcement authorities, where <br />appropriate. <br />1MMONICATIC <br />EPA will work collaboratively to develop a risk <br />communication toolbox that Includes multi -media <br />materials and messaging for federal, state, tribal, and <br />local partners to use with the public. <br />This will help ensure clear and consistent messages to the <br />public and will help address concerns related to PFAS. <br />EXHIISE-29 <br />