PFAS detection levels vary by region and across matrices such as drinking water, wastewater, seawater, soil, etc. Drinking water is the matrix of most concern in relation to public health and many environmental agencies are trying to set safe consumption levels. Most are in the form of health-based recommended levels with no regulations in place as of Feb 2019. Currently, in most countries, designated levels of concern are in the low ppt (ng/L) range for most PFAS compounds in drinking water. Some examples are given below.
- United States: health advisory level of 70 ppt in drinking water for PFOS and PFOA combined
- Germany: health-based precautionary value of 100 ppt in drinking water for PFOA, PFOS, and many other PFAS
- Australia: 70 ppt for the sum of PFOS and PFHxS and 560 ppt for PFOA in drinking water with different levels for other types of waters
