Page 1 GAO-25-107809 Persistent Chemicals
Certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been associated with
negative impacts to human health and the environment, including infertility and
cancer. Department of Energy (DOE) sites across the country have used PFAS
for a variety of purposes, including firefighting and uranium enrichment,
potentially leading to releases into the environment (see fig. 1). DOE manages
sites in over 40 states, including national laboratories, nuclear weapons
production sites, and current and former Manhattan Project and Cold War-era
cleanup sites.
Figure 1: Example of the Department of Energy’s Historical Use of Firefighting Foam
Containing Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances During Fire Training
In 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established legally
enforceable maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for six PFAS in drinking water.
In 2024, EPA also designated two PFAS—perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and
perfluorooctane sulfonate, also known as perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS)—
as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended (CERCLA).
U.S. Government Accountability Office
DOE Should
Efforts to Review PFAS Use
-25-107809
Report to Congressional Requesters
10, 2025
