Health Canada initiates public consultation on proposed PFAS drinking water quality objective

Health Canada has initiated a public consultation to solicit comments on its proposed drinking water quality objective for per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”), the approach used to develop the proposed objective and the potential impact of implementation of the proposed objective.

PFAS are a group of substances that contain linked fluorine and carbon atoms that are stable and may persist in the environment. These substances may be used in the production of surfactants, lubricants, repellents, textiles, cosmetics and foams. On April 24, 2021, the Government of Canada published a notice of intent to address the broad class of PFAS in the Canada Gazette.

Health Canada seeks to achieve a 30 ng/L for PFAS in drinking water. In 2018 and 2019, Health Canada established drinking water guidelines for PFAS. If the draft objective is enacted, the new exposure limit of 30 ng/L for PFAS will replace the prior guidelines.

Health Canada invites input from several stakeholders including:

• federal, provincial and territorial regulatory and health protection agencies;
• industry stakeholders;
• academic communities;
• non-governmental organizations, and
• the general public.

Comments must be received by the Water and Air Quality Bureau of Health Canada by April 12, 2023.  Submitted comments will also be shared with members of the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Committee on Drinking Water.

For more information, please contact Amy Pressman.