PFAS, also known as Forever Chemicals, are estimated to be in at least 45% of the nation’s tap water. According to new research from the Keck School of Medicine at USC, people exposed to drinking water contaminated with PFAS experience up to a 33% higher incidence of certain digestive, endocrine, respiratory, mouth and throat cancers. Overall, PFAS in drinking water are estimated to contribute to more than 6,800 cancer cases each year. https://keck.usc.edu/news/study-links-pfas-contamination-of-drinking-water-to-a-range-of-rare-cancers/
Water supplies near industrial sites, landfills, wastewater treatment plants, airports and military bases have a higher risk of PFAS contamination. A study conducted by the USGS in 2023 found similar PFAS concentrations between public supplies and private wells. The government regulates public water supplies, but homeowners are responsible for the maintenance, testing and treatment of private wells.
PFAS filtration systems advertised online don’t necessarily remove every PFAS in contaminated water. A water test by a certified laboratory can ascertain which specific PFAS are present. This knowledge can help determine the best filtration system to correct the issue.
In 2024, the EPA set limits on five types of PFAS chemicals: PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS and HFPO-DA. The maximum contaminant level (MCL) was set at 4.0ppt for PFOA and PFOS, and 10ppt for the others. The EPA also set a Hazard Index of 1 for a mixture of two or more of the following: PFNA, PFHxS, HFPO-DA and PFBS. The compliance deadline for these rules was 2029.
In 2025, those limits were rolled back to include only two PFAS – PFOS and PFOA. The acceptable limits will remain at 4ppt, but the compliance deadline will be extended from 2029 to 2031.
In the 2025 Legislative Session, New Mexico lawmakers passed two key bills to help New Mexico tackle PFAS contamination for the future. For more information about combating PFAS by the state of New Mexico CLICK HERE.