EPA's PFAS Action Plan:
A Summary of Key Actions
SEPA
EPA's PFAS Action Plan outlines concrete steps
the agency is taking to address PFAS and to
protect public health.
EPA's Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
Action Plan:
Demonstrates the agency's critical national leadership
by providing both short-term solutions and long-term
strategies to address this important issue.
Provides a multi-media, multi-program, national research and risk
communication plan to address this emerging environmental challenge.
• Responds to the extensive public input the agency has received over the past year during the PFAS National
Leadership Summit, multiple community engagements, and through the public docket.
EPA is taking a proactive, cross-agency approach to addressing PFAS. The key actions EPA is taking to help provide
the necessary tools to assist states, tribes, and communities in addressing PFAS are summarized below.
DRINKING WATER
EPA is moving forward with the Maximum
Contaminant Level (MCL) process for PFOA and
PFOS—two of the most well-known and prevalent
PFAS chemicals. The Agency is also gathering and
evaluating information to determine if regulation is
appropriate for a broader class of PFAS.
The next step in the Safe Drinking Water Act process
for issuing drinking water standards is to propose a
regulatory determination. This provides the opportunity
for the public to contribute to the information the
EPA will consider related to the regulation of PFAS in
drinking water.
CLEANUP
EPA continues strengthening enforcement authorities
and clarifying cleanup strategies through actions
such as designating PFOA and PFOS as hazardous
substances and developing interim groundwater
cleanup recommendations.
This important work will provide additional tools to help
states and communities address existing contamination
and enhance the ability to hold responsible parties
accountable.
TOXICS
EPA is considering the addition of PFAS chemicals to
the Toxics Release Inventory and rules to prohibit the
uses of certain PFAS chemicals.
The Toxics Release Inventory would make information
about certain PFAS releases reported by certain
industrial sectors and federal facilities available.
Additionally, the TSCA new chemicals program will help
manage and, as necessary, reduce risk to human health
and the environment from new PFAS.
MONITORING
EPA will propose nationwide drinking water monitoring
for PFAS under the next UCMR monitoring cycle.
Monitoring results will improve understanding of the
frequency and concentration of PFAS occurrence in drinking
water, which can be used to inform regulatory action.
RESEARCH
EPA is rapidly expanding the scientific foundation for
understanding and managing risk from PFAS.
Improved detection and measurement methods,
additional information about PFAS presence in the
environment and drinking water, better understanding of
effective treatment and remediation methods, and more
information about the potential toxicity of a broader set
of PFAS will help EPA, states, and others better manage
PFAS risks.
ENFORCEMENT
EPA uses enforcement tools, when appropriate, to
address PFAS exposure in the environment and assist
states in enforcement activities.
EPA seeks to support communities that have PFAS
releases by using federal enforcement authorities, where
appropriate.
RISK COMMUNICATIONS
EPA will work collaboratively to develop a risk
communication toolbox that includes multi-media
materials and messaging for federal, state, tribal, and
local partners to use with the public.
This will help ensure clear and consistent messages to the
public and will help address concerns related to PFAS.

-------