Ohio

Ohio has a long history with PFAS that predates most other state responses. The DuPont Washington Works plant across the river in Parkersburg, West Virginia released PFOA into the Ohio River for decades, contaminating drinking water in southeastern Ohio communities including Belpre, Little Hocking, and Tuppers Plains. The 2017 C8 Science Panel settlement with DuPont funded health studies and medical monitoring for tens of thousands of affected residents on both sides of the river.

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency launched a statewide PFAS Action Plan in 2019 and began sampling public water systems across the state. Ohio EPA has published results publicly. State records show the agency has adopted state-level action levels for PFAS in drinking water that were in place before the federal EPA MCLs finalized in April 2024, though these Ohio values are advisory rather than enforceable MCLs.

The Ohio Attorney General has filed lawsuits against 3M, DuPont, and Chemours seeking funding for statewide cleanup. Litigation has also targeted firefighting foam manufacturers. State records show several Ohio utilities have reported exceedances above the federal MCLs and have begun installing treatment.

Public water systems in Ohio are subject to the federal compliance timeline requiring initial monitoring by 2027 and treatment installation by 2029.