Illinois EPA Releases PFAS Integrated Strategy To Close PFAS Awareness Week
Building on significant progress in Illinois, PFAS remains a priority
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois EPA joined fellow midwestern states, including Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, to recognize PFAS Awareness Week. As a recap of Illinois’ efforts to address PFAS compounds, Illinois EPA has released its PFAS Integrated Strategy, which builds on early achievements in Illinois to identify, regulate, and reduce PFAS. Illinois has been among the most proactive states in the nation to develop and implement PFAS health standards, groundwater quality standards, and state enforceable maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) to protect Illinois residents.
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are man-made chemicals that have been widely used in numerous products, resulting in environmental impacts to the air, soil, water, plants, and animals. Until recent years, PFAS have not been regulated at the state or federal level. Since 2020, Illinois has been among the national leaders in addressing the impacts of PFAS.
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“The widespread use of PFAS has resulted in decades of exposure and environmental impacts throughout Illinois and the nation,” said Illinois EPA Director James Jennings. “Through strategic collaboration with other agencies and key stakeholders, we will have a solid foundation to address PFAS from all angles and better safeguard public health.”
As a result of work already completed to address PFAS, Illinois EPA has the authority to monitor PFAS, collect and publish data, develop health-based guidance levels and remediation objectives for PFAS. Illinois EPA can also conduct risk assessments and perform environmental data collection. Regulatory efforts to date include:
- PFAS Reduction Act (Public Act 102-0290)
- PFAS Incineration Ban (Public Act 102.1048
- PFAS Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Act (Public Act 104-0221)
- PFAS Product Ban (Public Act 104-0231)
- PFAS Disposal Program (Public Act 103-0351)
- Adoption of Groundwater Quality Standards (R22-18) for six PFAS
- Adoption of “identical-in-substance” amendments to Illinois drinking water regulation, adding five PFAS MCLs. Illinois Community Water Supplies must:
- Begin Initial Monitoring in April 2026
- Complete initial monitoring in April 2027
- Begin ongoing compliance monitoring in April 2027
- Comply with MCLs in April of 2029
As part of PFAS Awareness Week, Illinois EPA continues to encourage residents to take proactive steps to reduce exposure to PFAS through everyday products. Everyone should:
- Choose stainless steel, cast iron, or non-stick cookware that does not contain PFAS.
- Avoid water repellents on clothing.
- Use personal care products without “PTFE” or “Fluoro” ingredients.
- Use water filters designed to remove PFAS (NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 standards).
While much has been done to address and identify PFAS in Illinois, there is still significant work ahead. Illinois’ PFAS Integrated Strategy identifies three primary goals: identifying PFAS in the environment, strengthening technical capacity to monitor, assess, and manage PFAS, and reducing the impact of PFAS on Illinois communities. The Strategy incorporates communication, toxicity risk assessment, measurement and testing, source reduction, drinking water and groundwater, remediation, waste and wastewater management, and compliance and enforcement activities. These efforts will help reduce exposure, guide prevention and clean-ups, and protect public health and the environment.
To view Illinois’ PFAS Integrated Strategy, please visit: https://epa.illinois.gov/topics/water-quality/pfas/pfas-integrated-strategy.html.
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