PFAS Insights - October 2018

Our understanding of the presence, toxicity, and potential impacts of emerging contaminants continues to advance. One class of emerging contaminants attracting attention is per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a class of synthetic compounds used in a wide variety of consumer products due to their water and stain repellent properties and thermal resistance.

The risk they pose to human health and the environment is not yet fully understood – there is concern that these compounds may have an impact, but how and under what circumstances is not yet definitive. Although many emerging contaminants have been used for decades, only recent advances in technology have been able to reliably quantify their presence and potential effects.

GHD and PFAS

Our experienced global team is working together to provide comprehensive, practical, risk-based solutions to our clients including site investigations and development of conceptual site models, risk assessments, and innovative remedial technologies.  GHD tracks the fast changing regulatory and technical aspects of PFAS at both the state and federal levels, and is committed to sharing all the latest insights.

In recent news, Pennsylvania is establishing a PFAS Action Team, Alaska and New York are making recommendations for regulations, and PFAS workshops and technical symposiums are taking place.

Pennsylvania PFAS Action Team

Tom Wolf, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, announced on September 19, 2018 an Executive Order to establish a PFAS Action Team. The team will be comprised of the Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection, Secretary of the Department of Health, Secretary of Military and Veteran Affairs, Secretary of the Department of Community and Economic Development, Secretary of Department of Transportation, Secretary of Agriculture, and State Fire Commissioner. The functions of the team include ensuring drinking water is safe, managing environmental PFAS contamination, and exploring avenues of funding for remediation efforts. Read the full report.

Recommendations for Regulations

The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is proposing to adopt regulation that would set new groundwater and soil cleanup levels for six PFAS that will include Perfluorobutane Sulfonic Acid (PFBS), Perfluoroheptanoic Acid (PFHpA), Perfluorohexane Sulfonic Acid (PFHxS), Perfluorononanoic Acid (PFNA), Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid (PFOS), and Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA). Read the full report. 

Andrew Cuomo, Governor of New York State, announced on October 2, 2018 that $200 Million in grant funding will go towards addressing emerging contaminants in drinking water. In addition to the funding, the New York State Drinking Water Quality Council will meet in mid-October to address the recent federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry report recommending new minimum risk levels for emerging contaminants. The Council will make recommendations for maximum contaminant levels for PFOA, PFOS, and 1,4-dioxane. Read the full report.

PFAS Workshops and Technical Symposiums

In the months of September and October, a number of PFAS related trainings, workshops, and technical symposiums have or will be taking place: 

• AGAT Laboratories’ Science and Technology Talks 2018  took place in Montreal, Quebec on September 14. GHD’s Douglas Smith and Katrina McCullough presented on PFAS topics regarding remediation and risk communication in impacted communities.
• The Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council (ITRC) will hold a PFAS training  in Montclair, New Jersey on October 12.
• 34^th Annual International Conference on Soils, Sediments, Water, and Energy  will take place in Amherst, Massachusetts on October 15 – 18. GHD’s Fred Taylor will be participating with our research partners XDD, Alpha Analytical, and Test America.
• The Michigan Chemistry Council will hold their Annual Conference  in Lansing, Michigan on October 16. GHD’s Beth Landale will be presenting on their technical panel titled “Latest PFAS Solutions”.
• NYS Council of Professional Geologist and Buffalo Association of Professional Geologists are holding a technical symposium in Buffalo, NY on October 17. GHD’s Ryan Thomas will be presenting at this event.

For more information, please contact: