DEP’s Efforts to Address PFAS in the Environment

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is committed to the protection of the groundwater resources of the state and the public health and safety of our residents. As part of these efforts, DEP’s Division of Waste Management routinely investigates sites where there is known or suspected soil and groundwater contamination statewide. 

The Division of Waste Management (DWM) has begun investigations to determine potential sources and environmental impacts related to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). PFAS are a large class of complex human-made chemicals that have been used in a wide range of consumer and industrial products. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) are part of the larger group of PFAS chemicals. While no longer manufactured in the United States, PFOA and PFOS were extensively used and manufactured since the 1940s. Common uses of PFAS included stain and water repellents used in textile manufacturing, paper products, food packaging, and cookware. PFAS has also been used in numerous industrial processes and in the formulation of fire suppressant foams. 

PFAS are stable chemicals that do not naturally degrade. When released into the environment, PFAS can cause contamination to soil, groundwater and surface water, and these impacts may pose a risk to public health and the environment. 

DEP continues its efforts to investigate and understand PFAS in the environment and the ecological and human health risks associated with PFAS contamination. This webpage is dedicated to making PFAS information readily available and accessible to the public regarding DEP’s efforts. DEP is committed to providing timely information to the public regarding these efforts.

• DWM, Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Dynamic Plan - March 2022

Areas of Investigation

• Fire Training Facility Preliminary Site Assessments
• Site Investigation Section State Funded PFOA and PFOS Sampling Efforts Associated with Public Well Systems in Florida
• Waste Site Cleanup State Funded PFAS Sampling Efforts
• Drycleaning Solvent Cleanup Program State Funded PFAS Sampling Efforts
• Florida Statewide PFAS Pilot Study at Drycleaning Sites (Updated September 2021)
• Federal Department of Defense Sites

Technical Developments

• Contaminated Media Forum (Sept. 12, 2019)
• Development of Surface Water Screening Levels for PFOA and PFOS Based on the Protection of Human Health Using Probabilistic Risk Assessment – April 2020
• Provisional Leachability Soil Cleanup Target Levels (Updated January 2019 )
• Provisional Groundwater Cleanup Target Levels (August 2018)
• Provisional PFAS Irrigation Water Screening Levels (June 2018)
• Provisional Soil Cleanup Target Levels (April 2018)

Resources

• Update on PFAS Criteria Development in Other States (March 23, 2020)
• EPA Information on PFAS
• EPA's Proposal to Limit PFAS in Drinking Water – Fact Sheet
• ITRC Technical Resources for Addressing Environmental Releases of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
• Fire Training Facilities Assessment for PFOA and PFOS - Frequently Asked Questions
• DOH PFAS Fact Sheet