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, and certain types of firefighting foam. They also 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 forth timelines between 2021 and 2024, during which EPA plans to take specific actions and commit to new policies that will protect public health and the environment and hold polluters accountable.

In April 2024, the EPA set Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for six PFAS: PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, PFBS, and GenX Chemicals. MCLs are legally enforceable standards that public water systems must meet. These standards account for health information, available testing technology, treatment techniques, and costs.

In April 2024, the EPA designated PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), also known as Superfund. This designation helps to protect public health and the environment from exposure to these chemicals and to hold polluters accountable.

Over the past several years, Colorado has demonstrated a commitment 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.  The department is now focused on carrying out actions in the 2024 PFAS Action Plan to continue our work as a leader among states addressing widespread PFAS pollution. To learn more, please visit the 2024 PFAS Action Plan webpage.

As we use and dispose of products containing PFAS, these chemicals move to our landfills and wastewater treatment facilities, where they may then enter our environment. 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 levels in drinking water. We encourage people to get the facts, take steps to limit their exposure to 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 available on our website to help. Through recent legislation, Colorado will be banning the sale of certain products containing PFAS starting in 2024.