DEP Adopts PFNA Groundwater Protection Standards

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has officially adopted amendments to the Ground Water Quality Standards, including adoption of a stricter standard for Perfluorononanoic Acid (PFNA). The Drinking Water Quality Institute had recommended at Maximum Contaminant Level for PFNA in July 2015 at 13 ppt, which is the standard adopted by the DEP. The amendments include adding PFNA as a Hazardous Substance under the Spill Compensation and Control Act. The New Jersey Sierra Club supports an even stricter standard of 5 ppt

“The DEP has officially adopted a standard of 13ng/L for PFNA’s in our groundwater. They’re finally taking steps to implement standards for this dangerous material. It’s taken way too long, but at least it’s finally happening. However, we do believe that the standard of 13 ppt should be lower to a more protective standard 5 ppt. PFNA was used in textile coatings, stain repellants, and food packaging. It has been linked to some cancers in humans and to reproductive and developmental problems in animals and has been pervasive in many New Jersey public water systems,” said Jeff Tittel, New Jersey Sierra Club Director. “While we are glad to see this standard set, we will keep pushing for stronger standards for PFNAs and other contaminants in our drinking water.”

A study by the DWQI released in April 2015 found the chemical in 2.5 percent of the public water systems tested was at levels that exceeded the guidance standard. That compared with just 0.2 percent nationwide. Another study found PFNA and related chemicals in 67 percent of 31 municipal systems tested in 20 counties during 2009 and 2010. PFNA levels seven times the newly proposed standard was found near the South Jersey town of Paulsboro where Solvay Specialty Polymers manufactured the chemical between 1985 and 2010.

“The DEP is finally taken action and lowering the PFNA standard to 0.013 parts per billion. Under Christie, the DEP had since 2015 to adopt this standard. DEP has even had the science about chemicals in our drinking water and the need to expand testing, Governor Christie vetoed a bill to require DEP set stricter standards. The problem is the Christie Administration has been more concerned with polluters than protecting people’s health,” said Jeff Tittel. “Now that we have a new Governor and Administration, we should look to strengthen the standard to 5 ppt, based on the most up-to-date standard.”

The Drinking Water Quality Institute is responsible for setting the standards of acceptable limits for toxins and carcinogens in our drinking water. Some of those contaminates include perchlorate, radon, and formaldehyde. They look at health base risk assessment to ensure that the water we drink is safe. Many of the chemicals they deal with can be linked to birth defects, childhood development like mercury.

“Now that the DEP has set the standards on PFNA, they have one down and twenty more standards to go. Not only must they set standards for more chemicals, but they must also look to set the highest possible standards based on the most recent science. The Murphy Administration must now set standards for PFOA, PFC, 1,2,3-TCP, chromium and arsenic, and a dozen other toxic chemicals. Since very little was done to protect our water under the Christie Administration, we have to turn the tide. A decade ago, the Institute received awards for the work they have done not only saving thousands of lives, but millions of dollars. However, Christie Administration has continued to stack the Institute with people who are tied to chemical industry, including DuPont,” said Jeff Tittel, New Jersey Sierra Club Director. “It’s important that the DEP is taking steps to advance water protections by setting important standards such as this one for PFNA.”

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