Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS)

Cape Fear Public Utility Authority - Wilmington

Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) is a member of a group of perfluorinated chemicals used in many consumer products. PFOS and other perfluorinated chemicals can cause serious health effects, including cancer, endocrine disruption, accelerated puberty, liver and immune system damage, and thyroid changes. These chemicals are persistent in the environment and they accumulate in people. Click here to read more about perfluorinated chemicals.

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Samples

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

Year	Average result	Samples taken	Detections	Range of results
2013	ND	1	0	ND
2014	ND	3	0	ND
2015	N/A	0	0	N/A
2016	N/A	0	0	N/A
2017	N/A	0	0	N/A
2018	N/A	0	0	N/A
2019	0.283 ppt	11	3	ND - 1.60 ppt

ppt = parts per trillion

State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines

EWG Health Guideline 1 ppt

The EWG Health Guideline of 1 ppt for perfluorobutane sulfonate 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. This health guideline applies to the entire class of PFAS detected in water.

ppt = parts per trillion

All test results

Date	Lab ID	Result
2013-12-05	201312060141AM	ND
2014-03-11	201403120485AM	ND
2014-06-09	201406100211AM	ND
2014-09-08	201409090436AM	ND
2019-05-29		ND
2019-05-29		ND
2019-06-19	482602002	0.811 ppt
2019-06-19	482602003	ND
2019-06-19	482602004	ND
2019-06-19	482602001	ND
2019-07-16		1.60 ppt
2019-07-31	486362004	ND
2019-07-31	486362003	0.704 ppt
2019-07-31	486362002	ND
2019-07-31	486362001	ND