A Decade of PFAS Progress in New York
- By: Paul Jackson
- Tags: New York, PFAS
In its report “A Decade of Progress on PFAS,” the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) describes how the state has moved from emergency response to a broad, long-term strategy addressing PFAS in drinking water, products, soils, wastewater, and private wells. Key accomplishments center on cleanup and enforcement, infrastructure investment, science and data, and new policy tools that will shape PFAS regulation in the years ahead.
This post highlights several of those accomplishments, with added perspective and links to further resources. A companion post will examine what 2026 and beyond may hold for PFAS policy and compliance in New York.
PFAS as Hazardous Substances in New York – In March of 2017, DEC classified PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances – nearly 7 years ahead of the U.S. EPA’s designation of PFOA and PFOS as Hazardous Substances under CERCLA. The DEC designation automatically embeds these PFAS compounds into soil and groundwater cleanup programs and makes it easier for the state to hold polluters financially responsible. This status also ensures PFAS is routinely evaluated at sites with known or suspected contamination across the state.
PFAS Drinking Water Standards – In 2020, New York set individual drinking water standards for PFOA and PFOS at 10 parts per trillion (ppt). Although the state was not the first to regulate PFAS in drinking water, its 10-ppt limit was among the most protective in the country as many states still relied on EPA’s then-active individual 70-ppt health advisory for PFOA and PFOS.
Infrastructure Investments and PFAS Remediation Funding – The report also spotlights large financial commitments, such as $6 billion in water infrastructure investments since 2017, including $500 million in the 2025-26 budget, plus $1 billion per year in low-cost water infrastructure loans and a 10-year, $1.25 billion Superfund reauthorization that supports PFAS cleanups.
PFAS in Soil Study – DEC completed a Rural Soil Background Study in 2025. With PFOS detected in over 97% of surface soil samples and PFOA in 76.5% of samples, this research showed that PFAS is likely to be present even in rural areas far from known industrial sources.
Public Access to Information – DEC created online information portals for PFAS and 1,4-dioxane that publish surface water and wastewater monitoring data, improving public access to contamination and trend information. Learn more about 1,4-dioxane analysis.
PFAS in Wastewater and Biosolids – DEC finalized its Technical and Operational Guidance for Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTWs), setting a permitting strategy for PFOA, PFOS, and 1,4-dioxane. The guidance directs DEC to prioritize POTWs located in drinking-water watersheds or that recycle biosolids. Quarterly analysis of influent, effluent, and, in some cases, biosolids, for the full suite of EPA 1633 analytes may be required. Where test results indicate a concern, POTWs may also be required to “track-down” potential industrial sources of PFAS and implement best-management practices and pretreatment at significant sources. The New York State Assembly and Senate have also proposed legislation related to PFAS in wastewater discharge (A05832/ S4574).
Learn more about Pace® PFAS Treatability Studies.
PFAS in Consumer Products – New York banned intentionally added PFAS in most apparel sold in the state on or after January 1, 2025. Broader limits on PFAS in apparel and outdoor gear, at thresholds defined by DEC, are scheduled to take effect in 2027 and 2028. These limits will apply regardless of whether or not the chemicals were intentionally added.
Consumption Advisories – Together with the New York Department of Health, DEC has issued fish and wildlife consumption advisories where PFAS contamination could pose a risk, helping residents make safer choices about locally caught food. Watch our on-demand webinar to learn more about analyzing PFAS in fish and wildlife: Navigating the Complexities of Testing for PFAS in Plant and Animal Tissue.
New York PFAS FAQs
As New York rolls out additional PFAS regulations for drinking water, wastewater, soils, and consumer products, many clients have detailed questions about the science behind PFAS testing. Here are answers to some of the key questions compliance managers and technical staff are likely to encounter.
Q: How are samples collected, prepared, and analyzed to measure PFAS in consumer goods?
PFAS testing in consumer goods starts with collecting a representative sample of the product (for example, a fabric swatch, piece of packaging, or portion of cosmetic) using PFAS-free tools and containers to avoid contamination. The sample is then prepared by extracting PFAS from the material into a liquid (often using solvent extraction or digestion), sometimes followed by cleanup steps like solid-phase extraction to concentrate the analytes and remove interferences before analysis. Pace® also uses cryomilling for solid consumer products—freezing and finely grinding materials such as textiles, paper, and plastics—to create a uniform powder that improves extraction efficiency and helps achieve lower detection limits.
Watch: Quantifying PFAS in Consumer and Related Products
Q: What test method(s) does Pace® use for analyzing PFAS in consumer goods?
Pace® relies primarily on high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to quantify individual PFAS, following validated methods, such as EPA 1633, that include lab blanks, spikes, and duplicates to ensure data quality. Pace® also offers total organic fluorine (TOF) screening, which measures overall fluorinated content and can flag PFAS-containing materials even when specific compounds are not targeted, supporting clients that need to demonstrate compliance with “PFAS-free” or TOF-based regulatory thresholds.
How Can Pace® Help?
New York’s experience over the past decade shows how quickly PFAS policy can evolve—and how important it is to keep analytical methods, infrastructure plans, and product strategies aligned with new requirements. As DEC and state lawmakers refine cleanup criteria, expand product bans, and roll out new tools like background studies and public data portals, Pace® is ready to help New York utilities, manufacturers, and property owners turn those policies into practical, defensible programs that protect both public health and the bottom line.
Additional Resources:
On-demand webinar: Navigating PFAS in Drinking Water: Treatability Insights and Analytical Overview
On-demand webinar: Biosolids Analysis for PFAS: Challenges, Considerations, and Options
