Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)
Plymouth
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.
Samples
Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)
Samples exceeding
health guidelines
Testing results - average by year
| Year | Average result | Samples taken | Detections | Range of results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 2014 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 2015 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 2016 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 2017 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 2018 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 2019 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 2020 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 2021 | 1.24 ppt | 2 | 2 | 0.980 ppt - 1.50 ppt |
| 2022 | 0.752 ppt | 13 | 9 | ND - 2.00 ppt |
| 2023 | 0.640 ppt | 36 | 24 | ND - 1.90 ppt |
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 | Lab ID | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-06-04 | 21F0300-03 | 0.980 ppt |
| 2021-06-04 | 21F0300-01 | 1.50 ppt |
| 2022-06-03 | 22F0215-01 | ND |
| 2022-06-03 | 22F0215-03 | 0.810 ppt |
| 2022-06-03 | 22F0215-04 | 0.930 ppt |
| 2022-06-03 | 22F0215-05 | 1.30 ppt |
| 2022-09-08 | 22I0502-01 | 0.780 ppt |
| 2022-11-04 | 22K0352-06 | 0.840 ppt |
| 2022-11-04 | 22K0352-08 | ND |
| 2022-11-04 | 22K0352-07 | 0.960 ppt |
| 2022-11-04 | 22K0352-05 | 2.00 ppt |
| 2022-11-04 | 22K0352-04 | 1.50 ppt |
| 2022-11-04 | 22K0352-03 | ND |
| 2022-11-04 | 22K0352-02 | ND |
| 2022-11-04 | 22K0352-01 | 0.650 ppt |
| 2023-05-25 | 23E2766-11 | 0.810 ppt |
| 2023-05-25 | 32301773-3 | ND |
| 2023-05-25 | 32301773-1 | ND |
| 2023-05-25 | 23E2766-16 | 1.50 ppt |
| 2023-05-25 | 23E2766-15 | ND |
| 2023-05-25 | 23E2766-14 | 1.000 ppt |
| 2023-05-25 | 23E2766-13 | 0.760 ppt |
| 2023-05-25 | 23E2766-12 | ND |
| 2023-05-25 | 23E2766-10 | 0.500 ppt |
| 2023-05-25 | 23E2766-08 | ND |
| 2023-05-25 | 23E2766-07 | 1.60 ppt |
| 2023-05-25 | 23E2766-06 | ND |
| 2023-05-25 | 23E2766-05 | 0.800 ppt |
| 2023-05-25 | 23E2766-04 | 1.90 ppt |
| 2023-05-25 | 23E2766-03 | 1.20 ppt |
| 2023-05-25 | 23E2766-01 | 0.760 ppt |
| 2023-05-25 | 23E2766-02 | 0.580 ppt |
| 2023-05-25 | 23E2766-09 | 0.470 ppt |
| 2023-09-15 | 23I0866-08 | ND |
| 2023-09-15 | 23I0866-16 | 1.60 ppt |
| 2023-09-15 | 23I0866-15 | 0.350 ppt |
| 2023-09-15 | 23I0866-14 | 1.10 ppt |
| 2023-09-15 | 23I0866-13 | 1.000 ppt |
| 2023-09-15 | 23I0866-12 | ND |
| 2023-09-15 | 23I0866-11 | 0.930 ppt |
| 2023-09-15 | 23I0866-10 | 0.510 ppt |
| 2023-09-15 | 23I0866-09 | 0.520 ppt |
| 2023-09-15 | 23I0866-07 | 1.10 ppt |
| 2023-09-15 | 23I0866-06 | ND |
| 2023-09-15 | 23I0866-05 | 1.10 ppt |
| 2023-09-15 | 23I0866-04 | 1.10 ppt |
| 2023-09-15 | 23I0866-02 | 0.860 ppt |
| 2023-09-15 | 23I0866-01 | 1.000 ppt |
| 2023-09-25 | 23I1301-01 | ND |
| 2023-12-11 | 32304198-1 | ND |
| 2023-12-11 | 32304198-3 | ND |