{"id":824,"date":"2021-11-17T10:39:15","date_gmt":"2021-11-17T15:39:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/pfas\/?page_id=824"},"modified":"2026-02-12T14:46:23","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T19:46:23","slug":"about","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/pfas\/about\/","title":{"rendered":"PFAS Facts"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row_content_no_spaces&#8221;][vc_column][vc_single_image image=&#8221;871&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; el_class=&#8221;w-100&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<div class=\"carousel-caption d-md-block d-sm-block\">\n<h1>PFAS Facts<\/h1>\n<h4 class=\"w-75 mx-auto\"><em>PFAS, also known as \u201cforever chemicals,\u201d repel water and oil and are resistant to heat and chemical reactions. <\/em><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][breadcrumb-shortcode][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;3\/4&#8243;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mt-2 p-2\">What are PFAS?<\/h2>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p class=\"px-2\">Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are a large family of thousands of manmade chemicals that have been used in industrial and commercial applications for over 70 years. PFAS, also known as \u201cforever chemicals,\u201d repel water and oil and are resistant to heat and chemical reactions.<\/p>\n<p class=\"px-2\">Products\u202fthat may be manufactured with PFAS include:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"ml-4\">\n<li>Stain-resistant coatings for upholstery and carpets<\/li>\n<li>Water-resistant breathable clothing<\/li>\n<li>Greaseproof food packaging<\/li>\n<li>Certain fire fighting foams (aqueous film-forming foams used for extinguishing petroleum-based fires)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/4&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;889&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; onclick=&#8221;link_image&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mt-2 p-2\">How do PFAS get into the environment?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"px-2\">PFAS enter the environment through:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"ml-4\">\n<li>Release from industrial facilities through air emissions and wastewater where they are made or used<\/li>\n<li>Release during firefighting training or use in response to a petroleum-based fire event<\/li>\n<li>Sludge and effluent from wastewater treatment plants<\/li>\n<li>Contaminated liquid from landfills (leachate) where PFAS containing industrial waste or consumer products are disposed<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"px-2\">NJDEP currently regulates PFOA, PFOS, and PFNA in drinking and groundwater because it was determined that these three PFAS occur in groundwater and drinking water and associated with health effects.<\/p>\n<p class=\"px-2\">Although the use of certain PFAS such as PFOA, PFOS, and PFNA has decreased substantially, contamination is expected to continue indefinitely because these substances are extremely persistent in the environment and are soluble and mobile in water.<\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mt-2 p-2\">What are the PFAS standards in New Jersey?<\/h2>\n<div id=\"pfas-measured\" class=\"table-responsive ml-4\">\n<table class=\"table table-bordered table-hover w-50\">\n<thead>\n<tr class=\"table-primary\">\n<th>Contaminant<\/th>\n<th>MCL (\u03bcg\/L or ppb)*<\/th>\n<th>Ground Water Quality Standard (\u03bcg\/L or ppb)*<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>PFOA<\/td>\n<td>0.014<\/td>\n<td>0.014<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>PFOS<\/td>\n<td>0.013<\/td>\n<td>0.013<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>PFNA<\/td>\n<td>0.013<\/td>\n<td>0.013<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<tfoot>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"text-right\" colspan=\"3\"><em>*micrograms per liter or parts per billion<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tfoot>\n<\/table>\n<p>Additionally, NJDEP has recently established an Interim Specific Ground Water Quality Standard of 0.002 \u03bcg\/L for another type of PFAS, chloroperfluoropolyether carboxylates (ClPFPECAs).<\/p>\n<p>An MCL (Maximum Contaminant Level) is the highest allowable concentration of a contaminant in water delivered to a user of a public drinking water supply. MCLs apply to public water systems, including public community and public non-transient noncommunity water systems. Public community and public non-transient noncommunity water systems are required to routinely monitor for contaminants for which MCLs have been established and to take any action necessary to bring the water into compliance with an MCL.<\/p>\n<p>The Ground Water Quality Standards establish classes of ground water according to the hydrogeologic characteristics of the ground water resource and the designated use(s) to be maintained, restored and enhanced within each classification area. Designated uses include maintenance of special ecological resources, provision of and conversion to potable water (drinking water), agricultural and industrial water supply, and other reasonable uses.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mt-2 p-2\">What is DEP doing to reduce exposure to PFAS?<\/h2>\n<p>DEP&#8217;s PFAS action includes research, regulatory reform, and litigation and is summarized in <a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/pfas\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/docs\/njdep-pfas-strategy-2025.pdf\">Forever No More<\/a>, DEP&#8217;s PFAS Strategy.<\/p>\n<p class=\"px-2\">Regulatory action includes DEP has adopted rules to:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"list-group list-group-flush border-0\">\n<li class=\"list-group-item border-0\"><i class=\"fa fa-check mr-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>Establish drinking water Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for PFOA, PFOS, and PFNA;<\/li>\n<li class=\"list-group-item border-0\"><i class=\"fa fa-check mr-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>Expand testing of private wells subject to sale or lease for PFOA, PFOS, and PFNA under the Private Well Testing Act (PWTA);<\/li>\n<li class=\"list-group-item border-0\"><i class=\"fa fa-check mr-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>Establish specific Ground Water Quality Standards (GWQS) for PFOA, and PFOS, and PFNA;<\/li>\n<li class=\"list-group-item border-0\"><i class=\"fa fa-check mr-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>Add PFOA, and PFOS, and PFNA to New Jersey\u2019s List of Hazardous Substances; and<\/li>\n<li class=\"list-group-item border-0\"><i class=\"fa fa-check mr-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>Expand the New Jersey Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NJPDES) permit application testing requirements\/pollutant listings and requirements for discharges to ground water to include PFOA, PFOS, and PFNA.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>DEP has also established:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"list-group list-group-flush border-0\">\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\"><\/li>\n<li class=\"list-group-item border-0\"><i class=\"fa fa-check mr-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nj.gov\/dep\/srp\/guidance\/rs\/interim_soil_ia_rl_rs.html\">Interim Soil and Soil Leachate Remediation Standards for PFNA, PFOA, PFOS, and GenX<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"list-group-item border-0\"><i class=\"fa fa-check mr-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/bears\/ground-water-quality-standards-gwqs\/#criteria-pqls-standards\">Interim Specific Ground Water Quality Criterion for Chloroperfluoropolyether carboxylates (ClPFPECAs)<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"list-group-item border-0\"><i class=\"fa fa-check mr-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/bears\/ground-water-quality-standards-gwqs\/#criteria-pqls-standards\">Interim Specific Ground Water Quality Criterion for Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid and its ammonium salt (HFPO-DA), also known as GenX<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"list-group-item border-0\"><i class=\"fa fa-check mr-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/bears\/ground-water-quality-standards-gwqs\/#criteria-pqls-standards\">Interim Specific Ground Water Quality Criterion for Perfluoropolyether dicarboxylates (PFPE-DCAs)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mt-4\">DEP is currently:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"list-group list-group-flush border-0\">\n<li class=\"list-group-item border-0\"><i class=\"far fa-square mr-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i> Developing Surface Water Quality Standards for PFOA, PFOS, and PFNA to protect human health and aquatic life.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row_content_no_spaces&#8221;][vc_column][vc_single_image image=&#8221;871&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; el_class=&#8221;w-100&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;] PFAS Facts PFAS, also known as \u201cforever chemicals,\u201d repel water and oil and are resistant to heat and chemical reactions. [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][breadcrumb-shortcode][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;3\/4&#8243;][vc_column_text] What are PFAS? [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;] Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are a large family of thousands of manmade chemicals that have been used in industrial and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":112,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"fullwidth.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-824","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/pfas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/824","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/pfas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/pfas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/pfas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/112"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/pfas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=824"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/pfas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/824\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1145,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/pfas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/824\/revisions\/1145"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/pfas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=824"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}