DEP’s Efforts to Address PFAS in the Environment

July 9, 2025

Read the full article by the Florida Department of Environmental Protectio

"The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is committed to the protection of the groundwater resources of the state and the public health and safety of our residents. As part of these efforts, DEP’s Division of Waste Management routinely investigates sites where there is known or suspected soil and groundwater contamination statewide.

The Division of Waste Management (DWM) has begun investigations to determine potential sources and environmental impacts related to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). PFAS are a large class of complex human-made chemicals that have been used in a wide range of consumer and industrial products. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) are part of the larger group of PFAS chemicals. While no longer manufactured in the United States, PFOA and PFOS were extensively used and manufactured since the 1940s. Common uses of PFAS included stain and water repellents used in textile manufacturing, paper products, food packaging, and cookware. PFAS has also been used in numerous industrial processes and in the formulation of fire suppressant foams."