In May 2024, supported by the Society of Brownfield Risk Assessment (SoBRA), CL:AIRE, a UK charity and recognised NGO dedicated to promoting sustainable land reuse and management, released Interim Category 4 Screening Levels (C4SLs) for Human Health for four PFAS (PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS and PFNA) for different land uses (Residential, Allotments, Commercial and Public Open Space). C4SLs are threshold values below which “the level of risk posed is considered acceptably low” (i.e., not considered contaminated). The interim C4SLs for PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, and PFNA are based on chronic risk and are included in the table below. The interim C4SLs should be used in conjunction with a hazard index approach to guide land use.

Providing expert solutions to PFAS challenges for more than 25 years

For more than two decades, Ramboll has helped clients around the world resolve their most critical PFAS issues. Our multi-disciplinary expertise and experience has been instrumental in assisting clients in reducing a wide range of risks and liabilities related to PFAS source treatment and control, drinking water supplies, stormwater discharges, wastewater treatments, site remediation, product safety and stewardship, health sciences, regulatory compliance and environmental due diligence.

Ramboll is a GreenScreen Licensed Profiler, accredited to undertake GreenScreen hazard assessments. Clean Production Action launched GreenScreen for Safer Chemicals in 2007 as a comprehensive hazard assessment tool that is fully transparent, scientifically based and promotes the design and use of safer chemicals via informed substitution.

For further information, please contact:

Dr Annette Nolan
Principal
Ramboll Australia
E: anolan@ramboll.com

[1] https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(23)00622-8/abstract
[2] https://www.ramboll.com/en-us/insights/resilient-societies-and-liveability/client-alert-usepa-finalizes-pfas-national-primary-drinking-water-regulations
[3] https://www.ramboll.com/insights/resilient-societies-and-liveability/client-alert-pfas-eu-ban
[4] https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2022L01658
[5] https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/protection/chemicals-management/national-standard/ichems-online-register
[6]Scenario 1: Introductions that are in the ‘listed' category. Scenario 2: Chemicals used only for research or analysis and introduced at 100 kg or less in an AICIS registration year. The applicable category for these introductions would be determined using the AICIS Categorisation Guide.
[7] https://www.ramboll.com/en-us/insights/resilient-societies-and-liveability/client-alert-usepa-finalizes-pfas-national-primary-drinking-water-regulations
[8] https://www.ramboll.com/en-us/insights/resilient-societies-and-liveability/client-alert-regulation-of-pfas-under-cercla
[9] https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/brownfields-all-appropriate-inquiries
[10]The Brownfields Amendments amended CERCLA to provide liability protections for certain landowners and potential property owners who did not cause or contribute to contamination and can demonstrate compliance with certain provisions in the statute, including performance of AAI via an ASTM Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (E1527-21).
[11] https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2024-04/pfas-enforcement-discretion-settlement-policy-cercla.pdf
[12] https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/02/08/2024-02324/listing-of-specific-pfas-as-hazardous-constituents
[13] https://health.hawaii.gov/heer/files/2024/04/PFAS-Update-signed-April-2024.pdf
[14] https://www.maine.gov/dep/spills/topics/pfas/PFAS-products/
[15] https://www.pca.state.mn.us/get-engaged/pfas-in-products
[16] Explore the map of Europe's PFAS contamination
[17] https://www.ramboll.com/insights/resilient-societies-and-liveability/client-alert-pfas-eu-ban
[18] https://echa.europa.eu/about-us/who-we-are/committee-for-socio-economic-analysis/meetings-of-the-seac/2023
[19] Ramboll LinkedIn post regarding Federal Soil Protection Ordinance
[20] https://www.domstol.se/nyheter/2023/12/hogsta-domstolen-meddelar-dom-i-pfas-malet/
[21] https://www.ecologie.gouv.fr/sites/default/files/documents/2024.04.05_Plan_PFAS.pdf
[22] https://www.hse.gov.uk/reach/restrictions.htm
[23] https://www.hse.gov.uk/reach/assets/docs/pfas-rmoa.pdf
[24] https://dwi-content.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/22115354/Information-Letter-02_2023-1.pdf