Action Plan and Levels for PFAS

In November 2018, DEC developed a PFAS Action Plan to provide a coordinated response by the department's environmental programs to address this emerging public health concern. The action plan will be updated over time as progress is achieved, new information becomes available, or additional actions are needed. 

To review the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) PFAS action plan, see EPA PFAS Action Plan February 2019.

Action Levels

In 2018, DEC set action levels for six PFAS compounds, including PFOS and PFOA. On April 9, 2019 and October 19, 2019, DEC published revisions to the Technical Memorandum on Action Levels for PFAS in Water that supersedes the 2018 action levels memorandum and aligns the action levels with EPA’s Lifetime Health Advisory (LHA) levels for PFOS and PFOA. Action levels serve as thresholds for determining when responsible parties need to provide water treatment or alternative water sources for impacted water supplies. To review the revised technical memorandum, see DEC Revised Technical Memorandum on Action Levels for PFAS in Water.

Soil and Groundwater Cleanup Levels

In November 2016, DEC promulgated soil and groundwater cleanup levels for two PFAS — PFOS and PFOA — that incorporated the published EPA LHA toxicity information. Soil and groundwater cleanup levels for PFOS and PFOA can be found in 18 AAC 75.341 and 18 AAC 75.345. For more information on soil and groundwater cleanup levels visit: 18 AAC 75.

Proposed Regulations

On October 1, 2018, DEC issued proposed regulatory cleanup levels for six PFAS in soil and groundwater for public comment. The comment period closed November 13, 2018. At this time, the proposed amendments are on hold by the department.  For more information visit: PFAS Cleanup Level Amendments.