Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

CONTAMINANT

4:2 Fluorotelomer Sulfonic Acid (4:2 FTSA)

STATES DETECTED

3

serves

267,000

utilities detected

4

states detected

0

serves

0

utilities detected

0

Overview

4:2 Fluorotelomer Sulfonic Acid (4:2 FTSA) is a member of a class of chemicals called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS. These chemicals were used in the production of non-stick, stain repellent and chemically inert coatings. Click here to read more about perfluorinated chemicals.

State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water

EWG Health Guideline: 1 ppt

The EWG Health Guideline of 1 ppt for 4:2 fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (4:2 FTSA) was defined by EWG based on studies by Phillipe Grandjean of Harvard University and many other independent researchers who found reduced effectiveness of vaccines and adverse impacts on mammary gland development from exposure to PFOA and PFOS, the two PFAS most widely detected in drinking water.

ppt = parts per trillion

National Standard Exists

Health Concerns:

  • Cancer

  • Harm to the immune system

  • Hormone disruption

  • Harm to fetal growth and child development

  • Harm to the liver

Want to remove
4:2 Fluorotelomer Sulfonic Acid (4:2 FTSA) from your water?

Try these filter technologies:

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

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4:2 Fluorotelomer Sulfonic Acid (4:2 FTSA) around the Country

UTILITIES WITH CONTAMINATION
State Utilities People Served
Florida2242,002
Massachusetts121,458
New Hampshire13,612

Utilities with the highest amounts of 4:2 fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (4:2 FTSA), 2018-2024

ALL UTILITIES
LARGE UTILITIES
Utility Location Tests Average level People served
Jaffrey Water WorksJaffrey, NH1 of 131.43 ppt3,612
Canton Water Department (MWRA)*Canton, MA1 of 70.429 ppt21,458
Emerald Coast Utilities Authority*Pensacola, FL1 of 540.141 ppt240,274
Nas Saufley FieldPensacola, FL1 of 540.141 ppt1,728

* This water utility supplies finished drinking water to at least one other water utility. The purchasing utility is not required to test for or report 4:2 Fluorotelomer Sulfonic Acid (4:2 FTSA), but it likely has the contaminant in its water supply.

UtilityLocationTestsAverage levelPeople served
Canton Water Department (MWRA)*Canton, MA1 of 70.429 ppt21,458
Emerald Coast Utilities Authority*Pensacola, FL1 of 540.141 ppt240,274

* This water utility supplies finished drinking water to at least one other water utility. The purchasing utility is not required to test for or report 4:2 Fluorotelomer Sulfonic Acid (4:2 FTSA), but it likely has the contaminant in its water supply.

Know the Standards

Understand EWG’s guidelines on contaminants in your water.

view ewg’s standards

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