WHAT YOU CAN DO
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Contact your legislators and urge them to support this bill.
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Share the message with your friends and colleagues to raise awareness. (Download and share the graphic above!)
Stay informed and involved in local efforts to protect clean water. |
Blue dots indicate sites to be tested for PFAS in water supply. Green indicates tested locations with acceptable levels of PFAS. Orange indicates unacceptable levels found. Credit: Georgia EPD Drinking Water Data (2023-2025)
Want to learn more? Read what the Georgia Water Coalition has to say about PFAS and their adverse effects to Georgian's public health, economy, and waterways below.
What are PFAS (Forever Chemicals)?
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of synthetic chemicals commonly used in industries for their stain-resistant and flame-retardant properties. These chemicals are highly persistent in the environment and can be found in water, soil, air, fish, and wildlife. Research shows that many PFAS are present in the blood of people worldwide, and exposure to certain levels has been linked to increased risks of some cancers, weakened immune response, reduced fertility, and developmental issues such as low birth weight (EPA).
Often referred to as "Forever Chemicals," PFAS are named for their resistance to breaking down in both the environment and the human body. Their molecular structure consists of a chain of carbon and fluorine atoms, forming one of the strongest chemical bonds known. This bond is so durable that scientists are unable to determine the half-life of PFAS, or the time it takes for 50% of the substance to degrade (NIH).
PFAS are now widely detected in soil, water, and air. Among the most prevalent and thoroughly studied of these chemicals are perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). Although these substances are no longer manufactured in the United States, they have been replaced by alternative PFAS, such as the chemical group known as GenX (EPA).
Often referred to as "Forever Chemicals," PFAS are named for their resistance to breaking down in both the environment and the human body. Their molecular structure consists of a chain of carbon and fluorine atoms, forming one of the strongest chemical bonds known. This bond is so durable that scientists are unable to determine the half-life of PFAS, or the time it takes for 50% of the substance to degrade (NIH).
PFAS are now widely detected in soil, water, and air. Among the most prevalent and thoroughly studied of these chemicals are perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). Although these substances are no longer manufactured in the United States, they have been replaced by alternative PFAS, such as the chemical group known as GenX (EPA).
What Areas of Georgia are most impacted by PFAS?
In 2023 the Waterkeeper Alliance released a sampling report that was followed by a large scale sampling effort in Northwest Georgia conducted by Coosa River Basin Initiative in collaboration with Coosa Riverkeeper, based on the lower portion of the Coosa River in Alabama. These initial sampling efforts revealed widespread contamination of PFAS across the country including several areas in Georgia including:
Report from Coosa River Basin Initiative and Coosa Riverkeeper
Report from Waterkeeper Alliance
- Conasauga River: (WABE)
- Oostanaula River (CRBI)
- Coosa River (CRBI)
- Coosawattee River (CRBI)
- Chattahoochee River: (WABE)
- Altamaha River: (WABE)
- Savannah River: (WABE)
- Tributaries to the Ogeechee, Satilla, and Suwanee Rivers: ( WABE)
Report from Coosa River Basin Initiative and Coosa Riverkeeper
Report from Waterkeeper Alliance
What regulation does the EPA currently have regarding PFAS?
The new health advisories released in June of 2022 by the EPA, based on the latest science considering lifetime exposure, state that negative health effects may occur with concentrations of PFOA and PFOS in water that are near zero.
The EPA also issued final health advisories for two other PFAS class chemicals:
In chemical and product manufacturing, GenX chemicals are considered a replacement for PFOA, and PFBS is considered a replacement for PFOS. (EPA)
The agency reports that drinking water is only safe to consume if it has less than 2000 parts per trillion of PFBS and 10 parts per trillion of GenX, 4 parts per quadrillion (0.004 ppt) of PFOA, and 20 parts per quadrillion (0.02 ppt) of PFOS. This new level is a substantially lower amount than the 70 parts per trillion that was considered safe in the initial health advisory released by the EPA in 2016. (EPA)
It is difficult for many to even picture quantities this small. For perspective, the sun is about 94.5 million miles away. One part per trillion of that distance would be to move six inches closer to the sun. Related to the health advisory for PFOA, 4 parts per quadrillion would be moving less than a millimeter closer to the sun.
In short, astonishingly small amounts of these chemicals in lifetime exposure can lead to harmful public health outcomes.
The EPA also issued final health advisories for two other PFAS class chemicals:
- Perfluorobutane sulfonic acid and its potassium salt (PFBS)
- Hexafluoropropylene oxide (HFPO) dimer acid and its ammonium salt, also known as “GenX chemicals”
In chemical and product manufacturing, GenX chemicals are considered a replacement for PFOA, and PFBS is considered a replacement for PFOS. (EPA)
The agency reports that drinking water is only safe to consume if it has less than 2000 parts per trillion of PFBS and 10 parts per trillion of GenX, 4 parts per quadrillion (0.004 ppt) of PFOA, and 20 parts per quadrillion (0.02 ppt) of PFOS. This new level is a substantially lower amount than the 70 parts per trillion that was considered safe in the initial health advisory released by the EPA in 2016. (EPA)
It is difficult for many to even picture quantities this small. For perspective, the sun is about 94.5 million miles away. One part per trillion of that distance would be to move six inches closer to the sun. Related to the health advisory for PFOA, 4 parts per quadrillion would be moving less than a millimeter closer to the sun.
In short, astonishingly small amounts of these chemicals in lifetime exposure can lead to harmful public health outcomes.
How do PFAS threaten our health?
PFAS has been found in surface waters and in public drinking water systems, including systems that use surface waters and groundwater as source water, throughout the state.
The CDC estimates that these chemicals are now in the blood of most Americans. This exact number and the sources of exposure are difficult to assess as there are many thousands types of PFAS chemicals that are widely used.
It is believed that the majority of PFAS contamination comes from consuming water or food that contains them. Although more research is needed to determine all sources of exposure.
There are several studies that have linked PFAS exposure to long term health problems including potential effects on metabolism, pregnancy, children’s cognition and neurobehavioral development, and the immune system. Studies also suggest these chemicals may lead to higher cholesterol, altered liver function, thyroid disease, and increased levels of kidney and testicular cancer. (Science Direct)
The CDC estimates that these chemicals are now in the blood of most Americans. This exact number and the sources of exposure are difficult to assess as there are many thousands types of PFAS chemicals that are widely used.
It is believed that the majority of PFAS contamination comes from consuming water or food that contains them. Although more research is needed to determine all sources of exposure.
There are several studies that have linked PFAS exposure to long term health problems including potential effects on metabolism, pregnancy, children’s cognition and neurobehavioral development, and the immune system. Studies also suggest these chemicals may lead to higher cholesterol, altered liver function, thyroid disease, and increased levels of kidney and testicular cancer. (Science Direct)
What is the economic burden of PFAS contamination in our water systems?
Removing PFAS from water is costly and technically challenging. The financial burden often falls on public water systems and, ultimately, ratepayers, who may face higher utility bills to cover these expenses.
What steps will this bill require industrial users to take?
Industries will need to:
- Identify and report PFAS sources in their processes.
- Provide annual updates on PFAS-related activities.