In support of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announcing more stringent drinking water standards regarding the chemical contaminants perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), Assemblywoman Nancy Pinkin (D-Middlesex) and chair of the Assembly Environment & Solid Waste Committee issued the following statement:
“For New Jersey, public health has largely centered on a commitment to improving access to safe and clean drinking water. And, with the backdrop of the coronavirus, this need to prioritize our public health has never been more pronounced.
“I am therefore encouraged by the DEP’s announcement today. As a state we are demonstrating that despite being in the midst of this public emergency, we remain committed to our longstanding environmental and health objectives.
“Setting the maximum contaminant levels of PFOA’s and PFOS’s at 14 and 13 parts per trillion respectively puts us significantly ahead of federal standards, giving us stronger footing to protect the health and safety of our residents.
“With the regulatory framework that these new standards provide, we are yet another step closer to healthier, pollution-free communities in New Jersey.”