Recent Study Reveals 'Forever Chemicals' at USF Surpass EPA Limits

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In Tampa, Florida, a recent analysis by USA Today reveals that one of the PFAS compounds detected at the University of South Florida’s Central Plant exceeds the Environmental Protection Agency’s regulated threshold by over sixfold.

This Central Plant is crucial as it manages all utility systems at the university, including its water supply.

PFAS, termed “forever chemicals” by the EPA, are known for their extensive use and persistence in the environment, with components that degrade very slowly.

The agency sets the enforceable standard for two specific PFAS compounds—PFOA and PFOS—at four parts per trillion.

The compound identified at the university’s Central Plant in the study was PFOS.

USF Associate Professor Marie Bourgeois told 8 On Your Side the finding isn’t one to cause worry but rather provides more of a reason to keep studying the issue.

“I don’t think we’re at a point where we have to be worried, but I do think we’re at a point where we need to be really pushing for more research,” Bourgeois said.

Bourgeois said PFAS are used in many every day industrial products and uses.

“I guess the easiest example for most people is Teflon. It’s the thing that makes it so that half of your dinner doesn’t stick to your frying pan, which was always kind of a nice thing. But one of the more common uses is aqueous firefighting foam. And so, it’s in turnout gear that firefighters wear,” Bourgeois explained. “I can’t think of an industrial application where it might not be useful.”

Bourgeois added the standards for PFAS continue to shift as researchers learn more.

“Enforceable levels move up and down. The thing about enforceable levels is we were on track to enforce levels for PFAS in a regulatory setting, but we’re starting to pull back from that,” Bourgeois said.

According to Bourgeois, animal studies have shown PFAS can affect the immune system and make vaccines less effective, but more work is needed to fully understand the impact on people.

“When you do an in vitro study or when you do a study that’s on animals, you still have to sort of extrapolate to get that to humans. And it’s not a perfect jump from animals to people,” Bourgeois said.

According to the university’s factbook for the year 2023-2024, more than 47,000 students attend USF’s main campus.

Some students who spoke with News Channel 8 on the matter said they are now worried about the water accessible to students on campus.

“I pretty much use it everywhere — at my work, in my dorm — but now it’s making me feel worried; but I’m sure the university must be doing something regarding it,” said freshman computer science major Manan Patel.

8 On Your Side reached out to the university on the matter and was given this statement:

The health and safety of the USF community is our highest priority.

Most of the water that supplies USF’s Tampa campus comes from five on-campus groundwater wells. USF routinely monitors the drinking water according to federal and state regulations and it remains safe for regular use and consumption.

PFAS compounds are a complex and evolving topic that USF is closely looking into proactively. Currently there are no federal or state drinking water standards in effect for PFAS. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is actively studying PFAS to determine if additional national drinking water standards should be established. As part of this effort, USF participates in the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 5 program, which includes additional testing for 29 PFAS compounds. This nationwide testing helps the EPA gather data to determine whether future regulations are needed to protect public health. Additionally, USF has chosen to proactively engage independent experts to continue to ensure the university has the latest information and federal guidance on PFAS and any other water quality regulatory issues, which further supports USF’s commitment to providing safe drinking water.

USF regularly shares water quality reports with members of the university community to keep them informed. More information can be found here.

— Ryan Hughes, Manager of Media Relations, University of South Florida