PFAS, or Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are chemicals that can potentially impact both public health and the environment.
California PFAS Regulations are a set of guidelines and standards established to protect public health and the environment from harmful exposure to PFAS chemicals. These regulations cover drinking water, soil, and groundwater, ensuring that acceptable levels of PFAS are maintained to minimize risks associated with their presence.
In this article, we delve into California PFAS Regulations, aiming to uncover the vital information you need to know about these essential guidelines. By exploring topics such as understanding PFAS, California’s drinking water and soil standards, Proposition 65, and groundwater standards, we aim to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the regulations in place to protect you and your family from the potential dangers of PFAS.
Read on to learn more about the California PFAS Regulations and how they help ensure the safety of our water and environment.
Check out my article on PFAS and what it is.
California PFAS Regulations: Protecting Health and Environment
California is at the forefront of PFAS regulation in the United States, enacting some of the strictest guidelines to protect public health and the environment from the harmful effects of these chemicals. In 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom signed a series of bills into law aimed at phasing out PFAS use in various products, including food packaging, children’s products, and firefighting foam.
PFAS in Food Packaging
Starting January 1, 2023, California has banned the sale of food packaging containing PFAS. The regulation encompasses a wide range of items, such as food and beverage containers, take-out containers, wrappers, utensils, straws, and disposable tableware. By eliminating PFAS from these everyday items, the state aims to reduce exposure and the potential health risks associated with these chemicals.
PFAS in Children’s Products
Effective July 1, 2023, the sale of children’s products containing PFAS is prohibited in California. This regulation covers a variety of items, including clothing, furniture, toys, and diapers. Protecting children from exposure to PFAS is crucial, as they are particularly vulnerable to the potential health effects of these chemicals.
PFAS in Firefighting Foam
Beginning January 1, 2025, California has outlawed the use of firefighting foam containing PFAS. This ban applies to foam used by airports, fire departments, and other organizations. By phasing out PFAS in firefighting foam, the state aims to minimize environmental contamination and protect the health of firefighters and local communities.
Additional PFAS Regulations
Besides these specific bans, California enforces other laws to restrict PFAS use. For instance, Proposition 65, or the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act, mandates businesses to inform consumers about exposure to PFAS. Furthermore, the state is working on developing regulations for other PFAS-containing products, such as cookware, carpets, and personal care items.
California PFAS Drinking Water Standards
California enforces some of the strictest PFAS drinking water standards in the country. The state’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has set a public health goal (PHG) of 5 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOA and 7 ppt for PFOS. They also limit PFBS in drinking water to 500 ppt.
These PHGs determine the level of chemical presence in drinking water at which adverse health effects are not anticipated from a lifetime of exposure.
The Division of Drinking Water (DDW) also established an interim notification level of 6.5 ppt for PFOA and 5.1 ppt for PFOS. If public water systems detect these chemicals above these levels, they must notify customers. The DDW is currently developing enforceable maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for PFAS, with proposals expected in 2023.
| PFOA | PFOS | PFBS |
| 335-67-1 | 1763-23-1 | 375-73-5 |
| 0.005 | 0.007 | 0.500 |
| 0.010 | 0.040 | 5 |
On the federal level, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set an interim health advisory of 70 ppt for PFOA and PFOS, indicating no known or expected risk to public health below this level. The EPA is also working on developing enforceable MCLs for PFAS, with proposals anticipated in 2024.
What are Acceptable Levels of PFAS in Drinking Water?
Understanding the acceptable levels of PFAS in drinking water is crucial to ensure public health and safety. Different regulatory bodies have established guidelines for PFAS concentrations in drinking water, which may vary depending on the specific PFAS compound and the region.
In the table below, we outline the public health goals (PHGs) and notification levels set by California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) and the Division of Drinking Water (DDW). We also provide information on the interim health advisory levels set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
| PFAS Compound | California PHG (ppt) | California Notification Level (ppt) | EPA Interim Health Advisory (ppt) |
| PFOA | 7 | 6.5 | 70 (combined PFOA & PFOS) |
| PFOS | 1 | 5.1 | 70 (combined PFOA & PFOS) |
Note: ppt = parts per trillion
California’s PHGs indicate the concentration of a chemical in drinking water at which no adverse health effects are expected from a lifetime of exposure. Notification levels, on the other hand, are interim guidelines that require public water systems to notify customers if PFAS concentrations exceed these levels.
It’s important to note that these values are subject to change as regulatory agencies continue to research the potential health effects of PFAS exposure. Both California’s DDW and the EPA are in the process of developing enforceable maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for PFAS, which will serve as legally binding standards for public water systems.
For information about how to remove PFAS from drinking water, check out my article – Point-Of-Use (POU) Systems: A Comprehensive Guide to PFAS Removal in Drinking Water.
California PFAS Soil Standards: Safeguarding Our Environment
California is actively working to develop and enforce PFAS soil standards, aiming to protect the environment and public health from the harmful effects of these chemicals. While specific statewide standards for PFAS in soil have not been established yet, various regulatory programs and guidelines are in place to address soil contamination concerns:
- Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC): The DTSC oversees the assessment and cleanup of contaminated sites, including those impacted by PFAS. While no specific PFAS soil standards are in place, the DTSC may use screening levels or risk-based cleanup levels on a case-by-case basis to address PFAS contamination.
- Regional Water Quality Control Boards (RWQCBs): These boards are responsible for protecting water quality in California, including addressing PFAS contamination in soil that may affect groundwater. RWQCBs may develop site-specific cleanup goals for PFAS-impacted soil, considering factors such as potential exposure pathways, human health risks, and ecological risks.
- California Environmental Screening Levels (ESLs): Although not legally binding, ESLs can serve as guidance for assessing and managing risks associated with chemical contaminants in soil, including PFAS. These levels may be used by regulatory agencies and responsible parties to establish appropriate cleanup goals for contaminated sites.
Key factors to consider for PFAS soil standards:
- Concentration of PFAS in soil
- Potential exposure pathways
- Human health risks
- Ecological risks
- Leaching potential to groundwater
As research continues and our understanding of PFAS and their potential impacts on human health and the environment improves, it is anticipated that California will develop more comprehensive and enforceable PFAS soil standards. In the meantime, regulatory agencies rely on existing programs and guidelines to address PFAS contamination in soil and protect the environment and public health.
Proposition 65: Ensuring Consumer Awareness of PFAS Exposure
Proposition 65, also known as the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, is a key component of California’s efforts to regulate PFAS and protect public health. This law requires businesses to provide warnings to Californians about significant exposures to chemicals that cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm, including certain PFAS compounds.
Here are the primary objectives of Proposition 65:
- Consumer Awareness: Proposition 65 aims to increase consumer awareness of potential exposure to harmful chemicals, including PFAS, by requiring clear and reasonable warnings on products or in public spaces.
- Preventing Exposure: By requiring businesses to disclose the presence of harmful chemicals, Proposition 65 encourages manufacturers and suppliers to reformulate their products, thereby reducing consumer exposure to these substances.
- Contaminant Discharge Regulation: The law prohibits businesses from knowingly discharging significant amounts of listed chemicals into sources of drinking water, helping to protect water quality and minimize PFAS exposure.
Proposition 65 maintains a list of chemicals known to the state of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. As of September 2021, two PFAS compounds, PFOA and PFOS, have been added to the Proposition 65 list:
- PFOA: Listed as a chemical known to cause cancer in November 2017
- PFOS: Listed as a chemical known to cause cancer in January 2018
Businesses that sell products containing PFOA or PFOS in California must provide a clear and reasonable warning to consumers, either on the product label or at the point of sale. This warning requirement helps consumers make informed decisions about the products they purchase, allowing them to minimize their exposure to harmful PFAS compounds.
Conclusion
California is at the forefront of PFAS regulation in the United States, implementing stringent guidelines to protect public health and the environment. The state’s efforts range from phasing out PFAS in various products to setting strict drinking water standards and raising consumer awareness through Proposition 65.
As research on PFAS continues, California remains committed to developing and refining regulations to minimize exposure and safeguard the well-being of its residents and the environment.