SWAMP focuses PFAS work on an archive project and coordination with OEHHA on advisory tissue levels

Program staff told the Safety Work Group that PFAS monitoring "everywhere" is not feasible with current budgets, so SWAMP will prioritize a PFAS archive project and target new, limited sampling near likely PFAS sources while coordinating results with OEHHA and Biomonitoring California.

Anna said the PFAS archive project will pull archived tissue samples for analysis and that regional boards contributing funds will likely pay only for analysis while the statewide program will cover sample preparation at Moss Landing. Harry confirmed the archive samples were previously analyzed for mercury and organics.

Wes Smith (OEHHA) explained that OEHHA is working on advisory tissue levels (ATLs) for PFAS and PFOA/PFOS, and that ATLs typically examine exposure via fish consumption; he noted the challenge of PFAS because people are exposed through multiple pathways. "As we do that, we are reviewing the literature, looking at other PFAS, trying to determine what exposure possibilities are," Wes said. He added OEHHA and other groups are trying to move beyond single‑compound approaches to evaluate suites of PFAS.

Wes also noted recent public‑health goals for PFOA and PFOS have been released, a step that can trigger water boards to consider drinking‑water maximum‑contaminant-level (MCL) actions and could broaden regulatory attention beyond notification levels.

Next steps: SWAMP staff will notify regions that have expressed interest in contributing analysis funds; staff will publish timelines and coordinate project codes and contracting. The program will reassess PFAS priorities as archive results and regional realignments become available.