Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)

Douglas Water Department

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.

 

13

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

10

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018N/A00N/A
2019N/A00N/A
2020N/A00N/A
20211.24 ppt660.865 ppt - 1.71 ppt
20220.792 ppt64ND - 1.60 ppt
2023ND10ND

ppt = parts per trillion

State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water

EWG Health Guideline: 0.3 ppt

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.3 ppt for PFOS was defined by EPA's final toxicity value from the Office of Water’s Final Human Health Toxicity Assessment. This health guideline protects againat cardiovascular harm and harm to fetal growth.

EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL): 4 ppt

ppt = parts per trillion

All test results

Date Result
2021-05-171.20 ppt
2021-05-170.969 ppt
2021-05-171.52 ppt
2021-05-171.19 ppt
2021-05-171.71 ppt
2021-05-170.865 ppt
2022-01-04ND
2022-01-041.000 ppt
2022-04-05ND
2022-04-051.20 ppt
2022-07-061.60 ppt
2022-07-060.950 ppt
2023-08-21ND