Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)

Agawam Water Department

NOTE: Agawam Water Department purchases water from Springfield Water and Sewer Commission which is required to test for perfluorooctane sulfonate (pfos). Sample information shown below was taken by Springfield Water and Sewer Commission.

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is a member of a group of perfluorinated chemicals used in many consumer products. PFOS and other perfluorinated chemicals can cause serious health effects, including cancer, endocrine disruption, accelerated puberty, liver and immune system damage, and thyroid changes. These chemicals are persistent in the environment and they accumulate in people. Click here to read more about perfluorinated chemicals.

MORE ABOUT THIS CONTAMINANT

Samples

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

Year	Average result	Samples taken	Range of results
2014	ND	1	ND
2015	ND	3	ND
2016	N/A	0	N/A
2017	N/A	0	N/A
2018	N/A	0	N/A
2019	N/A	0	N/A

ppt = parts per trillion

State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines

EWG Health Guideline 1 ppt

The EWG Health Guideline of 1 ppt for PFOS was defined by EWG based on studies by Phillipe Grandjean of Harvard University and many other independent researchers who found reduced effectiveness of vaccines and adverse impacts on mammary gland development from exposure to PFOA and PFOS, the two PFAS most widely detected in drinking water. This health guideline applies to the entire class of PFAS detected in water.

EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) 4 ppt

ppt = parts per trillion

All test results

Date	Result
2013-03-19	ND
2013-06-18	ND
2013-09-17	ND
2013-12-10	ND