EPA SAB PFAS Panel Responds to the PFAS Health Advisories
In June, 2022, the EPA released interim drinking water health advisories for four per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. The interim updated health advisories for PFOA and PFOS were issued before the EPA’s Science Advisory Board (SAB) PFAS Panel completed the full review of the toxicity assessments.
The EPA Science Advisory Board has voiced concerns that the agency’s approach for reviewing the scientific studies on the health effects of PFOA and PFOS is “fundamentally flawed.” At a recent Science Advisory Board meeting, a panel member said that if he were reviewing EPA’s work for publication in a scientific journal, “I would check the reject box.”
These extremely low health advisory levels are based on limited and/or selective research and will impact drinking water utilities across the nation, even where PFOA/PFOS may not be a public health concern. We urge the EPA to provide clear and actionable direction to water utilities and consider a cost-benefit and risk analysis when determining PFAS regulations.
