Additional PFAS found in Waialua Sugar Pump 2 system
Posted: March 8, 2024, Newsroom
HONOLULU – Additional PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluorinated) Alkyl substances) were detected. of Oahu. This new detection is the result of an ongoing investigation into his first detection of PFAS in 2023, in which various derivatives of PFAS were identified. The 2023 news release can be found here.
Additional PFAS in the Waialua Sugar Pump 2 water system was identified in inspection reports dated November 27, 2023 and February 6, 2024. The water system notified the Department of Health (DOH) of the initial detection of two additional PFAS (PFHxS and PFHxA) via email on February 26, 2024. Although there is no maximum contaminant level (MCL) for PFHxS, the hazard index based on PFHxS detection is 0.233, which is below the EPA's proposed compliance threshold of 1.0. Currently, there is no hazard index or MCL for PFHxA.
The PFAS levels detected in two well (wells F and G) samples from the Waialua Sugar Pump 2 water system are shown in the table below.
| good | PFAS chemicals | PFAS chemical abbreviation | Detection value (ng/L) 1 | EPA proposed MCL (ng/L) 1 | |
| Well F | Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid | PFHxS | 2.0～2.2 | Not applicable (see note 2) | |
| perfluorohexanoic acid | PFHxA | 2.1-2.2 | Not applicable | ||
| Well G | perfluorohexanoic acid | PFHxA | 2.0～2.2 | Not applicable |
1 ng/L = nanograms/liter = parts per trillion (ppt)
2 This pollutant is taken into account in the calculation of the proposed hazard index.
According to the EPA, PFAS are fluorinated organic chemicals that have been used since the 1940s and are widely used in consumer products such as carpeting, clothing, furniture fabrics, paper food packaging, and other materials such as cookware. I am. Designed to be waterproof, stain-proof, or non-stick. They are also components of firefighting foam and have many industrial uses.
For more information about PFAS, visit https://www.epa.gov/pfas or https://health.hawaii.gov/pfas. Users can also contact their water supplier.
This press release is issued pursuant to Section 340E24(b) of the Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS).
Acronyms and definitions
DOH – Hawaii Department of Health. Responsible for regulating and overseeing Hawaii's environmental and human health impacts. This includes regulated drinking water systems.
EPA – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Responsible for the protection of human health and the environment at the national level.
HRS – The Hawaii Revised Act is a law enacted by the Hawaii State Legislature.
danger index – Even if individual MCLs or EALs are met, cumulative health risks must be considered when multiple compounds are present. The health index is the sum of the proportions of each pollutant. The proposed EPA requirement is that it must be less than 1.0 (no units) to be compliant.
MCL – Maximum contaminant levels set by the EPA are the highest levels of contaminants allowed in drinking water. The proposed MCL is not enforceable. On March 14, 2023, EPA issued proposed MCLs for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and maximum contaminant level objectives (MCLGs) for four additional PFAS compounds. A final MCL is expected in late 2023, at which point these values will become enforceable legal limits and public water systems will be required to test for these chemicals. As of this press release, the final MCL has not yet been published.
PFAS – Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. A fluorinated organic chemical that has been widely used since the 1940s.
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