North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Establishes Interim Groundwater Limits for PFAS

As concerns about water contaminants known as “forever chemicals” rise, departments such as the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality create updated guidelines like the ones shared here to help protect residents and the environment.

RALEIGH –The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources has established interim maximum allowable concentrations, or IMACs, for eight per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in groundwater.  

The Division received a request to establish IMACs on July 22, 2024.  After reviewing the request, supporting materials and public comments, the Division Director has determined the IMACs will be protective of public health. Effective today, IMACs have been established for the following substances:

• Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS)
• Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
• Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA or GenX)
• Perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS)
• Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA)
• Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS)
• Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA)
• Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA)

The IMACs can be used to set groundwater cleanup targets by DEQ’s Division of Waste Management.  

As required, the Director will make a recommendation to the Environmental Management Commission (EMC) within 12 months of the date of the memorandum as to whether any of the IMACs should be replaced by a new groundwater standard or expire.

The IMAC memorandum and related documents are available online.

For More Information from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
Contact:   Sharon Martin
Phone: 919-707-8670

North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality

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The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is the lead stewardship agency for the protection of North Carolina's environmental resources.

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