The EPA released a final human health toxicity assessment for GenX chemicals, which are part of the per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) group. The agency鈥檚 final toxicity assessment represents a key step in advancing the scientific understanding of GenX chemicals and their effects on human health.聽鈥淩esearch establishes a foundation for informed decision making and it is one of the central strategies of EPA鈥檚 PFAS Roadmap,鈥� said Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. 鈥淭his science-based final assessment marks a critical step in the process of establishing a national drinking water health advisory for GenX chemicals and provides important information to our partners that can be used to protect communities where these chemicals are found.鈥�
In certain locations, GenX chemicals have been found in surface water, groundwater, drinking water, rainwater, and the air. EPA鈥檚 final assessment for GenX chemicals focuses solely on the potential human health effects associated with oral exposure. Issuing the final toxicity assessment gives EPA the opportunity to share and exchange information with the agency鈥檚 state and Tribal co-regulators who are working with their communities to confront this complex environmental challenge.
The agency鈥檚 final 2021 GenX chemicals assessment uses the state-of-the-art systematic review process, incorporates new data available since 2018, and applies revised uncertainty factors. These changes resulted in a lower, more protective toxicity value for GenX chemicals relative to EPA鈥檚 2018 draft toxicity assessment.
EPA鈥檚 release of the final GenX chemicals toxicity assessment is a key step toward developing a national drinking water health advisory for GenX chemicals, which the agency committed to publishing in Spring 2022 as part of the PFAS Roadmap.