Recent tests have revealed the presence of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in water supplies across several New Jersey communities, including Harrison, Newark, and East Orange.
Known as "forever chemicals" for their persistence in the environment and potential health risks, PFAS have been linked to cancer, liver damage, and other serious health conditions.
A searchable database on NorthJersey.com shows a map of water systems included in the EPA's PFAS testing records, as of May 16, 2024. It's based on boundaries developed by SimpleLab, a water-testing company.
PFAS in North Jersey water
Some Bergen County towns show PFAS detection, including Lyndhurst, Saddle Brook, Clifton, and Ridgewood, the map's data shows. Ho-Ho-Kus has an annual average over limit, requiring action as it reaches a hazardous index limit.
Essex County towns like Belleville and Bloomfield water supplies remain clean with no PFAS detected, the map shows. Cedar Grove was detected at or over the limit.
Types of PFAS
The EPA has defined limits for six types of PFAS. If a water utility met or exceeded these limits at least once, they’re listed in the “Pollutants at/over limit” column. Systems are split into five categories:
- Annual average over limit
- PFAS detected at/over limit
- PFAS detected below limit
- Unregulated PFAS detected
- No PFAS detected
Health effects caused by exposure to PFAS
PFAS, used in various industrial applications and consumer products, can leach into water supplies, posing long-term environmental and health challenges. In response, the EPA has been actively working to establish stricter guidelines and remediation strategies.
According to the EPA, peer-reviewed scientific studies have shown that exposure to certain levels of PFAS could lead to:
- Reproductive effects
- Developmental effects or delays in children
- Increased risk of some cancers
- Reduced ability of the body's immune system to fight infections
- Interference with the body's natural hormones
- Increased cholesterol levels and/or risk of obesity
Residents are encouraged to stay informed about the quality of their drinking water and potential health impacts.
For detailed information on contamination levels and affected areas, visit the EPA PFAS water pollutants database.
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The EPA's new national standards
The new rules set national limits for individual PFAS chemicals including PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS and HFPO-DA, which are also known as GenX chemicals. There will also be a limit for mixtures of two or more of four PFAS chemicals including PFNA, PFHxS, PFBS, and GenX chemicals.
The EPA's new national PFAS standards require:
- PFOA: Maximum contaminant level of 4.0 parts per trillion
- PFOS: MCL 4.0 ppt
- PFNA: MCL 10 ppt
- PFHxS: MCL 10 ppt
- HFPO-DA (GenX chemicals): MCL 10 ppt
- Mixtures containing two or more of PFNA, PFHxS, HFPO-DA, and PFBS: 1 (unitless)
In addition to the new rules, the EPA announced nearly $1 billion in newly available funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help states and territories implement PFAS testing and treatment in public water systems. The funding will also help owners of private wells address PFAS contamination.
What is New Jersey doing to comply with the new EPA standards?
According to the NJDEP, in light of the new EPA standards, "Water systems are strongly encouraged to begin taking proactive measures to comply with the EPA's standards, such as increased monitoring, designing, and installing treatment, and begin engaging customers in communication as outlined by NJDEP in prior communications."
New Jersey will continue to enforce its state regulations until the EPA requirements go into effect.
The state will also work to obtain primacy, assuming authority for the enforcement of federal standards, according to the NJDEP.
Other steps that the state plans to take to meet the national standards include:
- Maintaining and expanding the New Jersey Technical Assistance program
- Continuing the Water Infrastructure Investment Plan initiative, deploying funds to mitigate costs of compliance for water systems in need of financial support
- Rolling out the Emerging Contaminants for Small or Disadvantaged Communities grant, which will prioritize systems that have already exceeded the state's PFAS MCLs
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