Hi all…Health Canada has been busy lately releasing new guidelines and guidance. The latest will, I’m sure, generate a lot of discussion. In a release dated February 7, Health Canada is proposing an objective of 30 ng/L for the sum of total per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) detected in drinking water. Total is defined by a couple of USEPA methods or a method that can detect at least 18 PFAS. Also of note is that they state “For the purposes of this proposed objective, a result of non-detect is considered to have a value of zero.” The consultation period ends on April 12.
The existing guidelines are 0.2 ng/L for PFOA and 0.6 ng/L for PFOS. A full list of current screening values is available.
Bill
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Draft objective for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in Canadian drinking water
Objective for Public Consultation
Download in PDF format
(390 KB, 25 pages)
Proposed objective value: “To reduce exposure from drinking water, an objective of 30 ng/L is proposed for the sum of total per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) detected in drinking water. Total PFAS should be calculated using the full list of substances in either the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) Method 533 or U.S. EPA Method 537.1, or both (see Appendix A). A jurisdiction could also validate and apply an alternate analytical method that quantifies a minimum of 18 PFAS. For the purposes of this proposed objective, a result of non-detect is considered to have a value of zero. It is recommended that treatment plants strive to maintain PFAS concentrations in drinking water as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA).”
