PFAS: A Widespread, Emerging Contaminant
What are PFAS?
Although described as an emerging contaminant, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of synthetic chemicals that have been widely-used globally in industrial and consumer products since the 1950s when they were developed as non-stick coatings and stain and water resistant products.
According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry’s (ATSDR) fact sheet:
Two of the most widely-detected longer chain PFAS, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), received the early environmental regulatory focus. These and related products have been used in thousands of applications worldwide, including firefighting foam, food packaging, and cleaning products. These compounds are also used by industries such as tanneries, metal platers, and clothing/textile manufacturers.
Why Should We Care?
Partly because PFAS are synthetic compounds that are very resistant to natural degradation, they can take a very long time to break down in the environment. Further, because PFAS have historically been widely-used in consumer and household products releases to the environment from various sources such as wastewater disposal (e.g., discharges from wastewater treatment plants, private septic systems land application of biosolids, among other things) trace concentrations of PFAS compounds may be widely dispersed in the environment. In addition, as some PFAS compounds are bioaccumulative in the food chain, and are not efficiently broken down and excreted from the body, concentrations in tissues and organs decrease slowly over time. While the toxicology of PFAS is currently not well-understood, the US EPA has established Lifetime Health Advisories (LHA) for PFOA and PFOS in drinking water. Scientific studies cited by various agencies suggests PFAS may have toxic effects on humans and animals. Specifically, study results indicate changes in hormone levels and in organ function, as well as possible fetal and young child development issues, among other possible health concerns.
Because of their widespread use and resistance to degradation trace concentrations contained in drinking water supplies, food, and consumer products, PFAS concentrations found in contaminated soil, groundwater, and wastewater treatment plant biosolids contribute to and further complicate management of affected materials. Disposal options, such as land-filling and land application, may simply transfer the problem to other locations.
What Is Being Done?
In January 2018, the MDEQ set a new legally-enforceable standard of 70 parts per trillion for PFOS and PFOA combined based on US EPA’s LHA. The MDEQ is part of the state’s current $23 million effort to locate and identify sources PFAS contamination, and oversee remediation activities aimed at protecting the state’s water resources and mitigating risks to the public.
The Governor's Office has created the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team (MPART), a response team of local, state, and federal agencies that are working together trying to understand the exposure risks and ways to mitigate PFAS contamination and associated impacts. The Governor emphasizes the need for "cooperation and coordination among agencies at all levels of government charged with identifying PFAS contaminants, informing and empowering the public, and mitigating the potential effects. Particularly in view of the current lack of nationwide best practices, the directive will further serve to set a strategic and proactive approach against this emerging contaminant.”
What Can NTH Do?
NTH has already taken steps necessary to help understand and address our clients’ PFAS management issues and if needed, associated response activities. Specifically, NTH is currently the sole consultant that completed MDEQ’s recent PFAS sampling training program for water and landfill leachate testing procedures and analytical requirements. We are also actively involved as private-sector representatives on MPART’s waste industry subcommittee dealing with landfill leachate management and biosolids disposal options.
For clients with PFAS issues, NTH can:
In addition to the links contained in this summary, there are a number of other useful links regarding PFAS that we believe are very helpful:
Groundwater and PFAS: State of Knowledge and Practice
http://www.ngwa.org/Media-Center/news/Pages/Groundwater-and-PFAS-State-of-Knowledge.aspx
ITRC Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Fact Sheets
https://pfas-1.itrcweb.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/pfas_fact_sheet_introductory__11_13_17.pdf
PFAS National Leadership Summit and Engagement
https://www.epa.gov/pfas/pfas-national-leadership-summit-and-engagement
We will provide further PFAS updates to our website: www.nthconsultants.com as new information becomes available. In the meantime, for specific requests regarding PFAS management, please contact Bhushan Modi at [email protected]. Alternatively, call NTH’s main phone number (248) 553-6300 and ask to speak with Bhushan.
Although described as an emerging contaminant, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of synthetic chemicals that have been widely-used globally in industrial and consumer products since the 1950s when they were developed as non-stick coatings and stain and water resistant products.
According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry’s (ATSDR) fact sheet:
- PFAS do not occur naturally, but are widespread in the environment;
- PFAS are found in people, wildlife and fish all over the world;
- some PFAS can stay in people’s bodies a long time; and
- several PFAS do not break down easily in the environment.
Two of the most widely-detected longer chain PFAS, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), received the early environmental regulatory focus. These and related products have been used in thousands of applications worldwide, including firefighting foam, food packaging, and cleaning products. These compounds are also used by industries such as tanneries, metal platers, and clothing/textile manufacturers.
Why Should We Care?
Partly because PFAS are synthetic compounds that are very resistant to natural degradation, they can take a very long time to break down in the environment. Further, because PFAS have historically been widely-used in consumer and household products releases to the environment from various sources such as wastewater disposal (e.g., discharges from wastewater treatment plants, private septic systems land application of biosolids, among other things) trace concentrations of PFAS compounds may be widely dispersed in the environment. In addition, as some PFAS compounds are bioaccumulative in the food chain, and are not efficiently broken down and excreted from the body, concentrations in tissues and organs decrease slowly over time. While the toxicology of PFAS is currently not well-understood, the US EPA has established Lifetime Health Advisories (LHA) for PFOA and PFOS in drinking water. Scientific studies cited by various agencies suggests PFAS may have toxic effects on humans and animals. Specifically, study results indicate changes in hormone levels and in organ function, as well as possible fetal and young child development issues, among other possible health concerns.
Because of their widespread use and resistance to degradation trace concentrations contained in drinking water supplies, food, and consumer products, PFAS concentrations found in contaminated soil, groundwater, and wastewater treatment plant biosolids contribute to and further complicate management of affected materials. Disposal options, such as land-filling and land application, may simply transfer the problem to other locations.
What Is Being Done?
In January 2018, the MDEQ set a new legally-enforceable standard of 70 parts per trillion for PFOS and PFOA combined based on US EPA’s LHA. The MDEQ is part of the state’s current $23 million effort to locate and identify sources PFAS contamination, and oversee remediation activities aimed at protecting the state’s water resources and mitigating risks to the public.
The Governor's Office has created the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team (MPART), a response team of local, state, and federal agencies that are working together trying to understand the exposure risks and ways to mitigate PFAS contamination and associated impacts. The Governor emphasizes the need for "cooperation and coordination among agencies at all levels of government charged with identifying PFAS contaminants, informing and empowering the public, and mitigating the potential effects. Particularly in view of the current lack of nationwide best practices, the directive will further serve to set a strategic and proactive approach against this emerging contaminant.”
What Can NTH Do?
NTH has already taken steps necessary to help understand and address our clients’ PFAS management issues and if needed, associated response activities. Specifically, NTH is currently the sole consultant that completed MDEQ’s recent PFAS sampling training program for water and landfill leachate testing procedures and analytical requirements. We are also actively involved as private-sector representatives on MPART’s waste industry subcommittee dealing with landfill leachate management and biosolids disposal options.
For clients with PFAS issues, NTH can:
- perform PFAS sampling in accordance with current, MDEQ-approved, practices;
- coordinate analyses with certified laboratories (following currently-accepted protocol);
- recommend appropriate response actions; and
- manage public relation programs.
In addition to the links contained in this summary, there are a number of other useful links regarding PFAS that we believe are very helpful:
Groundwater and PFAS: State of Knowledge and Practice
http://www.ngwa.org/Media-Center/news/Pages/Groundwater-and-PFAS-State-of-Knowledge.aspx
ITRC Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Fact Sheets
https://pfas-1.itrcweb.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/pfas_fact_sheet_introductory__11_13_17.pdf
PFAS National Leadership Summit and Engagement
https://www.epa.gov/pfas/pfas-national-leadership-summit-and-engagement
We will provide further PFAS updates to our website: www.nthconsultants.com as new information becomes available. In the meantime, for specific requests regarding PFAS management, please contact Bhushan Modi at [email protected]. Alternatively, call NTH’s main phone number (248) 553-6300 and ask to speak with Bhushan.