PFAS Developing Targets & Quality Standards

Descriptions

PFAS Developing Targets & Quality Standards:

Assessing the hazard of selected per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and deriving interim thresholds for the water environment

This project, to be completed by February 2026, will review the readily available hazard data for several specific PFAS, required to derive thresholds for human health via consumption of fish and for the protection of aquatic life.

Where sufficient relevant and reliable data is available for each of the individual PFAS considered, this will be used to derive interim thresholds for these specific PFAS using the approach outlined in the EQS (Environmental Quality Standards) guidance (EC, 2018 - Guidance No 27 - Deriving Environmental Quality Standards - version 2018.pdf).

In the absence of an EQS for these substances, these interim thresholds will be used by the Environment Agency (EA) to contextualise the concentrations of these substances detected from surface water monitoring and present in discharges to water environment to help understand the potential risk associated with the concentrations detected.

To enable written early market engagement on PFAS Developing Targets & Quality Standards.

For further information, please contact jemma.godleman@defra.gov.uk for the specification and market engagement questionnaire.