Formatted Title

PFAS Sampling in Deer at an AFFF-Contaminated Site, New York

Background/Objectives

This study examines potential exposures by deer hunters at a large site in New York with known per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) impacts. Four areas were impacted by historical fire training activities using aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), resulting in the release of PFAS: Fire Training and Demonstration Pad, Fire Training Pit and Area, Airfield Hot Pad Spill/Plane De-icing, and the Firehouse. CERCLA investigations at these areas confirmed that soil, groundwater, surface water and sediment are impacted by PFAS. Due to the historical use of the site, the deer herd was confined behind a perimeter fence between approximately 1941 and 2015. Recent land use changes have divided the site. The northern 3,000 acres of the site is a conservation area, where deer are confined by a fence that surrounds the site while in the southern 4,000 acres of the site the deer are semi-confined; much of the former perimeter fence is still present, however, gaps are present in the fence to allow access for farming and light industry. Deer herd management has been implemented in collaboration with state agencies since around 1957. The age of the deer onsite is biased high relative to deer offsite, however, recent extensive hunting in the southern area has reduced the average age. The purpose of this study is to improve understanding of the nature of uptake of PFAS in deer to support ecological risk assessments and to evaluate potential risks to human receptors consuming confined deer that eat plants and drink water at a site with PFAS impacts.

Approach/Activities

Surface soil, sediment, surface water, groundwater, and deer tissue samples were collected in 2023. In support of the investigation, approximately 250 groundwater, 100 surface water and sediment, and 200 soil samples were collected. To collect deer tissue, sampling was coordinated with State conservation officers and the local landowner. Hunters brought harvested deer to a collection site, where State biologists gathered data and samples were collected. Across the site, 13 paired samples of deer muscle and liver tissue were collected and analyzed to date. The site was divided into hunting zones, and the locations where deer were sampled were tracked relative to these zones. The majority of the harvested deer were from the northern portion of the site. In the southern portion of the site, however, there is extensive hunting by a separate group that has not provided samples to the State biologists. Thus, in the southern area, the deer sampling goals were not met. Additional deer tissue collection is planned in the southern portion of the site to address different exposure scenarios. All samples were analyzed by EPA Draft Method 1633.

Results/Lessons Learned

The measured PFAS concentrations in deer muscle and livers will be compared to values from other states (including Maine, Michigan, New Hampshire, and Wisconsin) to evaluate whether concentrations at the site are comparable to other PFAS release areas. To evaluate the potential risks to human receptors, PFAS concentrations detected in deer tissue samples from each hunting area will be a) compared to Do Not Eat thresholds from state advisories; and b) used to estimate total daily intakes for hunters. Daily intakes will be approximated using estimated deer consumption rates from USEPA and other sources. The daily intake rate will then be used to estimate noncancer hazards and cancer risks using toxicity values from the USEPA. In those hunting zones where both deer tissue and soil samples were collected, soil to deer bioaccumulation factors will be calculated for each hunting area. If sufficient data have been collected, the effect of deer age, weight, and sex on bioaccumulation factors will be evaluated. Lastly, PFAS concentrations in deer liver may be used to evaluate potential adverse effects on deer. Lessons learned include the recognition of spatial sampling bias caused by the hunting behaviors of, and the need to encourage data collection from, different community groups.