Formatted Title
When PFAS is Added as a COC for an Existing Remediation Site
Background/Objectives
Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) represent the latest, and potentially largest, environmental issue in this century. Used widely in a multitude of industrial applications—including plating, surface coating, and semiconductors—PFAS constitute a suite of thousands of individual chemicals that may be toxic and/or persistent in the environment. To date, PFAS contamination has been primarily associated with facilities that manufactured the chemicals or that knowingly used PFAS as a manufacturing input. However, PFAS-impacted soil and groundwater is also being detected at a variety of sites where the source of the PFAS is not obvious.
Approach/Activities
State and federal agencies are beginning to request that PFAS be added to the analyte list for active non-PFAS investigation and remediation sites. Often low concentrations of PFAS are detected, which disrupts the work for the other chemicals of concern (COC). The unique properties of PFAS, and the very low environmental criteria that have recently been established for some PFAS, can make them challenging to add as “just another contaminant” that needs remediation at these sites. The detection of PFAS often results in the re-evaluation of the contaminant nature and extent, fate and transport, exposure pathways, and remedial methods at a site.
Results/Lessons Learned
This presentation will focus on some of the challenges that can arise when PFAS are detected at an existing remediation site where the primary source of contamination was not PFAS-related. The author will present five scenarios where PFAS were tested and detected at an existing remediation site or treatment facility. Each scenario will present one or more of the challenges that were encountered, and lessons learned in overcoming these challenges. The scenarios, associated challenges, and lessons learned are based on actual project experience, although the specific sites cannot be identified in order to maintain client confidentiality.