BACKGROUND: Perfluouralkyl substances (PFAS) are manufactured chemicals that have heat and stain resistant properties appropriate for use in consumer products and firefighting foams. Exposure to PFAS through consumer products and food is ubiquitous but on the decline due to voluntarily production phase outs. Drinking water is another source of exposure to PFAS and the third EPA Unregulated Contaminate Monitoring Rule (UCMR3) included PFAS to provide a basis for future regulatory actions to protect public health. The coincident 2016 EPA health advisory provides updated, non-enforceable and non-regulatory technical guidance for PFAS concentrations in drinking water. The health advisory level established for life-time exposure to cumulative concentrations of the most prevalent compounds, PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (Perfluorooctansulfonic acid), is 70 parts per trillion.
METHODS: Through the UCMR3 Program, PFAS were found above health advisory levels in water supply sources near Security, Widefield and Fountain in Southern Colorado. This issue affected the drinking water of three major public water systems supplying water to approximately 70,000 residents and an estimated 500 private wells. The specific PFCs identified included PFBS (Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid), PFHpA (Perfluoroheptanoic acid), PFHxS (Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid), PFNA (Perfluorononanoic acid), PFOA and PFOS.
RESULTS: The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, including Colorado Environmental Public Health Tracking staff, were notified about this issue in early 2016 and were called upon to serve as the primary health experts in working with local health departments and water systems to address the potential health implications. This presentation will focus on the specific lessons learned in responding to this issue including:
- Explaining potential health issues to public water system, local health department personnel and the public.
- Developing health-based recommendations for public and private well water users.
- Providing health communications and messaging expertise for website and fact sheet design.
- Assisting with the development of a public-facing interactive map to inform local residents of the levels of PFCs in their water.
- Working with local farmers to assess potential health concerns from consuming produce and livestock.
- Authoring a community cancer and low-birth weight evaluation to provide preliminary information on long-term health risk.
CONCLUSIONS: This response demonstrates that the impact of “non-regulatory” guidance has changed for public health. Health guidance is needed, even with limited scientific information. Continuous communication with all stakeholders is crucial, particularly given evolving science and health advisory levels.