The Altamont Enterprise is reporting the New York State Department of Health has set maximum levels for PFOA, PFOS and 1,4-dioxane, three drinking water contaminants. PFOA and PFOS have each been set at a maximum contaminant level of 10 parts per trillion, while 1,4-dioxane has been set at 1 part per billion. A press release from Governor Andrew Cuomo’s office described the regulation setting the 1,4-dioxane level as “first in the nation,” though a 2017 Environmental Protection Agency fact sheet for the chemical includes guidelines issued by 18 other states, some of which recommend levels lower than 1 part per billion in drinking and groundwater. The guidelines set are action levels, meaning that state-regulated actions are triggered when the threshold is exceeded. The EPA is still performing a risk evaluation on 1,4-dioxane, suggesting that it is only a likely carcinogen, but the agency has already established a health advisory for PFOA and PFOS. The impact of exposure to PFOA and PFOS vary from developmental effects to fetuses and breastfed infants, increased cancer risk, and liver damage, among other issues.  Read the full story in the Altamont Enterprise.