« Back

PFAS - An Emerging Contaminant

June 26th, 2019


In the past few years, Per- and Polyfluoralkyl substances, commonly referred to as PFAS, have been identified by the USEPA as an emerging contaminant in drinking and surface waters. An “emerging contaminant” is a chemical or material that is characterized by a perceived, potential, or real threat to human health or the environment or by a lack of published health standards.

What are PFAS?

PFAS are a family of thousands of man-made fluorinated organic chemicals developed in the 1950s to make products that were resistant to heat, stains, grease, and water such as non-stick pans, umbrellas, and fire fighting foam. The carbon-fluorine bond that characterizes PFAS is extremely strong ensuring the chemicals are persistent in the environment and resistant to typical environmental degradation processes.

PFAS and the Human Body

The major types of human exposure sources for PFAS include:

  • Drinking contaminated water.
  • Ingesting food contaminated with PFAS.
  • Hand-to-mouth transfer from surfaces treated with PFAS-containing stain protectants.
  • Workers in industries or activities that manufacture, manipulate or use products containing PFAS.
  • Developing fetus exposure from umbilical cord blood from their mothers crosses the placenta during pregnancy.
  • Newborn exposure through breast milk.

Research has shown probable links between PFAS exposure and cancer, thyroid disease, high cholesterol, ulcerative colitis, and pregnancy induced hypertension.

Regulations

Currently, there are no federal regulations for PFAS in drinking and surface water. However, the USEPA has released a PFAS Action Plan and Health Advisory and is pursuing an MCL, a hazardous substance listing, and cleanup recommendations for PFOS and PFOA. In addition, states are developing standards and guidelines to address PFAS (New Hampshire = 38 ppt (PFOA); 70 ppt (PFOS); 70 ppt for PFOA and PFOS combined; Massachusetts = 70 ppt for five compounds (to be revised to 20 ppt)).

Drinking Water Treatment Technologies

As PFAS dissolve in water, traditional drinking water treatment technologies are not able to remove them. Currently, three treatment technologies have been shown to be effective at treatment: activated carbonanion exchange, and high-pressure membranes. These technologies been shown to be up to 90 to 100 percent effective at removal. However, to maintain this level of effectiveness, PFAS must be removed from the treatment bed or waste stream regularly and disposal of this concentrated by-product is often difficult.

If you would like more information about PFAS or discuss how PFAS may impact your drinking water supply, please contact Emily DiFranco at 800-725-2550 x422 or [email protected] or Michael Ohl at 800-725-2550 x359 or [email protected].

Posted in the categories Compliance, Drinking Water, Technology.