Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of human-made chemicals that have been widely used in industry and consumer products since the 1940s. PFAS have the ability to resist heat, water, and oil and have been used in food packaging, nonstick cookware, certain types of firefighting foam, and to make clothes, carpets, and furniture resistant to water and stains. They may also be used in certain personal care products such as shampoo, dental floss, and makeup. Creating and using these products can allow PFAS to enter our environment. PFAS tend to break down very slowly, so they can build up in humans and animals and end up in our drinking water and food supply. PFAS are associated with a range of negative health impacts which include certain types of cancer, high cholesterol and reduced vaccine effectiveness. Our understanding of PFAS and the risks they may pose is rapidly evolving.

In 2021, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a PFAS Strategic Roadmap. The roadmap set timelines to highlight EPA’s upcoming actions and policies between 2021 and 2024 to protect public health and the environment and hold polluters accountable. 

In June 2022, the EPA announced new PFAS health advisories for drinking water. Health advisories are not regulations and they are not enforceable. Health advisories provide guidance to states and water systems for unregulated chemicals. 

In March 2023, the EPA proposed National Primary Drinking Water Regulations to establish legally enforceable levels public water systems must follow for six PFAS: PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, PFBS, and GenX Chemicals. EPA anticipates finalizing the rule by the end of 2023.

Over the past several years, Colorado has committed to identifying where PFAS are entering the environment, stopping new releases, and protecting Coloradans. In many ways, Colorado has led the way in its efforts to track and reduce exposure to PFAS. Visit the projects and programs page to learn more.

Our environment and drinking water and wastewater treatment facilities and landfills are “receivers” of these chemicals used by manufacturers and everyday consumers. In order to protect the environment and address the sources of these chemicals, we need to phase out the production and use of products containing these chemicals and find safer alternatives.

We are working with Colorado water providers to reduce PFAS in drinking water. We encourage people to get the facts and take steps to limit their exposure from other sources and avoid PFAS when purchasing consumer goods and new household products. This will not only protect your health but also prevent the chemicals from further entering our environment and water systems. We have resources on our website to help. Through recent legislation, Colorado will be banning the sale of certain products containing PFAS starting in 2024.