Over the last several years, there has been increased attention on the potential negative health effects associated with a group of substances commonly referred to as PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances).  PFAS have been used in industry and consumer products since the 1940s, including in cookware, fabrics, and firefighting foam.  BCRA has voluntarily tested for PFAS in its drinking water sources since 2019.  All sampling results have been below Pennsylvania’s proposed Safe Drinking Water Act standards for PFAS.  BCRA has detected two PFAS (PFOA and PFOS) at levels above the U.S. EPA’s interim health advisory levels for PFOA and PFOS in drinking water.  EPA’s interim health advisory levels are not enforceable limits but are intended to provide technical information to federal, state, and local officials for use in developing monitoring and treatment plans for PFAS.  BCRA will be conducting additional sampling for PFAS in 2023.  For more information on what action you can take at home to reduce PFAS, please visit:  https://www.epa.gov/sciencematters/reducing-pfas-drinking-water-treatment-technologies.

For more detailed information on PFAS and BCRA’s historic sampling activities, please click here: PFAS Additional Information.