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DOH outlines health risks from PFAS, testing history and consumer guidance
Summary
The Department of Health briefed the committee on PFAS as persistent, widely distributed compounds linked to several health effects, described testing and outreach efforts, and reiterated a 2018 nonenforceable advisory level while noting EPA's pending enforceable standard.
Melissa Jordan, assistant deputy secretary for health at the Florida Department of Health, told the Senate Natural Resources Committee that per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large family of manmade compounds often called “forever chemicals” because they are environmentally persistent. Jordan said PFAS were widely used in consumer products and firefighting foam and that exposure “can potentially have an impact on one's health,” listing possible effects including increased cholesterol, immune effects, changes in liver enzymes, hypertension, small decreases in birth weight and decreased fertility.
Jordan described DOH activities: the department has sampled more than 3,800 water samples for PFAS since 2016, provides guidance on potable water testing and interpretation, conducts well investigations and health risk communications, and coordinates with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry and other federal partners. She said Florida in 2018 adopted the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s nonenforceable lifetime health advisory of 70 nanograms per liter for combined PFOA and PFOS, and that EPA has proposed an enforceable drinking-water standard of 4 nanograms per liter individually; DEP planned to present additional EPA-related details.
On consumer steps, Jordan recommended filtering drinking water where appropriate, avoiding grease- and water-resistant packaging, minimizing use of nonstick cookware and checking labels for ingredients that include "fluoro" or "perfluoro" components. She told the committee Florida restricted use of firefighting foam that contains PFAS in 2023 for testing and training, while permitting emergency use.
Senator Hale asked whether DOH has used evidence generated by litigation (the Stuart lawsuit) to inform regulatory recommendations; Jordan said DOH would review legal-science materials and follow up with the committee. Committee members asked about foam use at airports and limitations there; Jordan said DOH would provide clarifying information.
DOH did not propose new state regulations at this hearing; staff said they would continue coordination with DEP, monitor evolving science and update legislators when appropriate.
