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Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid (PFOS) in Drinking Water

Adoption of Public Health Goals for PFOA and PFOS

OEHHA has adopted and published Public Health Goals (PHGs) for PFOA and PFOS in drinking water.

The PHG of 0.007 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOA is based on kidney cancer in humans and the PHG of 1 ppt for PFOS is based on liver and pancreatic tumors in laboratory animals. The PHGs are set at a level of risk of one additional cancer case per one million persons exposed over a lifetime. The document also presents health-protective drinking water concentrations for noncancer health effects. The noncancer health-protective concentrations are 3 ppt for PFOA, based on increased risk of liver damage in humans and 2 ppt for PFOS, based on increased total cholesterol in humans.

Extension of Public Comment Period

On August 7, 2023, OEHHA extended the public comment period by 15 days on the second public review draft for the perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) Public Health Goals (PHGs). The comment period closed on August 29, 2023. The extension is in response to a request from the American Chemistry Council.

Second Public Review Draft

OEHHA announced the availability of a second draft technical support document for proposed PHGs for PFOA and PFOS in drinking water.

On July 14, 2023, OEHHA published in the California Regulatory Notice Register a notice announcing the availability of the second draft technical support document for the proposed PHGs for PFOA and PFOS. The comment period was scheduled to end on August 14, 2023, but was extended to August 29, 2023.

First Public Review Draft 

OEHHA announced the availability of a draft technical support document for proposed PHGs for PFOA and PFOS in drinking water. 

On July 30, 2021, OEHHA published in the California Regulatory Notice Register a notice announcing the availability of the draft technical support document for the proposed PHGs for PFOA and PFOS. 

Extension of Public Comment Period

OEHHA extended the 60-day public comment submission period on the first draft relating to the proposed PFOA and PFOS PHGs until October 28, 2021, due to a request from the American Chemistry Council.  

Public Workshop

The public workshop for the proposed PHGs for PFOA and PFOS in drinking water was held on Tuesday, September 28, 2021.  

Public Health Goal Initiation Webinar

OEHHA hosted a webinar on November 15, 2019, to provide the public with the opportunity to hear and ask questions about the toxicological and epidemiological data for evaluating PFOA and PFOS.  As part of the webinar, OEHHA explained the science underlying its assessment of PFOA and PFOS health risks, developed to make recommendations regarding Notification Levels to the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB).

OEHHA held the webinar in connection with its initiation of the development of PHGs for PFOA and PFOS in drinking water. PHGs are concentrations of contaminants in drinking water that pose no significant acute or chronic health risks.

Public Health Goal Initiation Notice and Data Call-in

PUBLIC NOTICE

Initiation of Process to Develop Public Health Goals for Drinking Water and Request for Relevant Information: PFOA and PFOS

OEHHA initiated the development of PHGs for PFOA and PFOS, in response to a request from the SWRCB. PHGs are concentrations of contaminants in drinking water that pose no significant acute or chronic health risks.  OEHHA establishes PHGs, which are used as the health basis for the development of California’s primary drinking water standards (Maximum Contaminant Levels or MCLs). 

The formal announcement of the initiation of PHG development for the two compounds was published in the California Regulatory Notice Register on November 1, 2019.

SWRCB will use the final risk assessments in the development of California regulatory MCLs for these chemicals.  For more information on this process, go to the SWRCB website.

Background on the PHG Program

The Calderon-Sher California Safe Drinking Water Act of 1996 (Health and Safety Code section 116365), hereafter referred to as the Act, requires OEHHA to post a notice on its website when it initiates work to develop or update PHGs.  PHGs are concentrations of chemicals in drinking water that are not anticipated to produce adverse health effects.  OEHHA is required to consider potential adverse effects on members of sensitive subgroups of the population, including infants, children, pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals with a history of serious illness.

PHGs are nonregulatory in nature but are used as the health basis for SWRCB to establish the state's primary drinking water standards or MCLs.  At the initial posting of a draft document, OEHHA provides a 45-day public comment period.  OEHHA also conducts a public workshop to receive public comments and engage in dialogue with interested parties on the draft document.  An external scientific peer review is then conducted as required by Health and Safety Code section 116365(c)(3)(D).  OEHHA considers all relevant comments in the preparation of a revised draft, which is posted for a 30-day public comment period.  After consideration of any additional comments, the PHG is finalized and posted on the OEHHA website for public reference and for use by SWRCB in developing California MCLs.

All PHGs and their supporting documents are available on OEHHA's website.

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