Perfluorooctanesulfonamide (PFOSA)
Status: No national drinking water standard exists
Perfluorooctanesulfonamide (PFOSA) is a member of a class of chemicals called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS. These chemicals were used in the production of non-stick, stain repellent and chemically inert coatings. Click here to read more about perfluorinated chemicals.
2017-2019:
2
states detected
4
utilities detected
30,237
people served
0
states over health guideline
0
utilities over health guideline
0
people served over health guideline
Health concerns for perfluorooctanesulfonamide (PFOSA)
Cancer
Harm to the immune system
Hormone disruption
Harm to fetal growth and child development
Harm to the liver
State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines
EWG Health Guideline 1 ppt
The EWG Health Guideline of 1 ppt for perfluorooctanesulfonamide (PFOSA) 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 protects against applies to the entire class of PFAS detected in water.
ppt = parts per trillion
States reporting perfluorooctanesulfonamide (PFOSA) in drinking water
| UTILITIES WITH CONTAMINATION | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| State | Utilities | People Served | |
| New Hampshire | 2 | 25,038 | |
| North Carolina | 2 | 5,199 | |
Filtering technologies that reduce perfluorooctanesulfonamide (PFOSA)
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Utilities with the highest amounts of perfluorooctanesulfonamide (PFOSA) , 2017-2019
| Utility | Location | Tests | Average level | People served |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chandler Place Apts | Salem, NH | 1 of 3 | 1.53 ppt | 38 |
| Pittsboro, Town of* | Pittsboro, NC | 1 of 1 | 1.10 ppt | 4,401 |
| Chapel Ridge S/d | Cary, NC | 1 of 1 | 1.10 ppt | 798 |
| Cabot Preserve | Merrimack, NH | 5 of 161 | 0.0950 ppt | 955 |
| Merrimack Village District* | Merrimack, NH | 5 of 161 | 0.0950 ppt | 25,000 |
* This water utility supplies finished drinking water to at least one other water utility. The purchasing utility is not required to test for or report Perfluorooctanesulfonamide (PFOSA) , but it likely has the contaminant in its water supply.
| Utility | Location | Tests | Average level | People served |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merrimack Village District* | Merrimack, NH | 5 of 161 | 0.0950 ppt | 25,000 |
* This water utility supplies finished drinking water to at least one other water utility. The purchasing utility is not required to test for or report Perfluorooctanesulfonamide (PFOSA) , but it likely has the contaminant in its water supply.