The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing an updated way to test for an additional four per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water, including the GenX chemical hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA).

The updated tools are part of the EPA’s efforts to increase the amount of research and information that is publicly available for chemicals in the PFAS family, according to an APA press release.

“EPA’s validated method, EPA Method 537.1, will ensure that both government and private laboratories can accurately and consistently measure 18 PFAS in their drinking water, which is a critical step for estimating people’s exposure and potential risk to PFAS,” says EPA Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator for Science, Jennifer Orme-Zavaleta. “This affirms EPA’s commitment to providing ways for states and tribes to address PFAS in their communities.” 

Additionally, the EPA is providing information that aims to help states, tribes and local communities make the best choices about how to treat PFAS-contaminated drinking water based on their specific needs.

The EPA has evaluated the effectiveness of several drinking water treatment technologies to remove a variety of PFAS. The agency has also evaluated costs associated with the drinking water technologies based on the type of PFAS that need to be treated. 

The EPA continues to work to develop a PFAS Management Plan that will provide the agency’s approach to addressing PFAS challenges. While the updated methods are part of the management plan, the agency is releasing them now to ensure that communities across the country have access to this information as soon as it is available. For more information, visit www.epa.gov/pfas and learn about EPA Method 537.1 here.