Revised on: August 19, 2023 - 12:01 a.m.
ADEQ is monitoring scientific, regulatory and legal developments related to PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and participating in related discussions with federal, state and local agency partners. PFAS exposure is linked to potential adverse human health outcomes and is the subject of increasing regulation and litigation. To keep the public and other stakeholders informed, ADEQ will update this PFAS Resources webpage with new information as it becomes available.
What are PFAS?
PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals with fire-retardant properties manufactured and used by various industries since the 1940s. PFAS have been used commercially in the United States to make products like stain and water-resistant carpets and textiles, food packaging, firefighting foam, and other industrial processes. The most studied PFAS compounds in the environment are perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS). Since 2000, many industries have phased out the use of some PFAS | Learn More ATSDR PFAS >
What PFAS regulations are there?
PFAS regulations are increasing at federal and state levels in the United States. New regulations are focusing on decreasing their use in manufacturing, lowering the limits for acceptable levels of PFAS in groundwater and soil, and requiring remediation projects to address PFAS contamination.
What is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) doing?
In March 2023, EPA proposed a National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) to establish legally enforceable levels, called Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs), for six PFAS in drinking water; PFOA and PFOS as individual contaminants and PFHxS, PFNA, PFBS, and HFPO-DA (commonly referred to as GenX Chemicals) as a mixture.
Additional information on EPAs website:
What is Arizona doing?
- Industry & Public Water System Screening | Learn More >
- Public Water System PFAS Data (Luke Air Force Base Area) | Learn More >
- Protecting Tucson’s Drinking Water Supply | Learn More >
- AFFF Stakeholder Advice, Education & Outreach | Learn More >
