PFAS: What to know. What’s coming.
PFAS, an acronym we hear more and more but what exactly does it stand for and what does that mean for the community at large?
Per – and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are defined as a group of chemicals used to make product coatings that resist heat, oil, stains, grease, and water. They can be found in everyday items including clothing, furniture, adhesives, food packaging, and heat-resistant non-stick cooking surfaces. Though still classified as an emerging contaminant, the concerns related to PFAS include:
- Do not break down in the environment (forever chemicals).
- Can move through soils and contaminate drinking water sources.
- Buildup (bio-accumulative) in fish and wildlife.
Where PFAS Come from and What to Know
PFAS primarily enter the body through drinking water, but other common household items can release these substances as well. These include cooking with scratched, non-stick pans, certain cleaning products, fast food containers, and fire extinguisher foam. Research is ongoing to determine how different levels of exposure to varying PFAS can affect human health, but some studies point to possible effects on reproduction, developmental delays in children, diminished immunity, increase in some cancers, and others.
Current Action Being Taken About PFAS
The EPA is currently reviewing the research and in March 2023 announced a proposed National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for six PFAS commonly found in drinking water. In January 2024, they added seven additional substances. The Federal EPA has also announced that PFAS are a possible human carcinogen. No action will be required until the U.S. EPA and Ohio EPA finalize the proposal.
New PFAS Rules
The new rule would establish legally enforceable levels called Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for the named PFAS. Currently, the proposed acceptable level is 4.0 parts per trillion. If passed, public water systems will be required to:
- Monitor these PFAS compounds.
- Notify the public of the recorded levels.
- Reduce the levels of these PFAS in drinking water if they exceed the standard.
How to Mitigate Exposure
As more municipalities look to mitigate exposure to PFAS, traditional drinking water treatment technologies are not effective. Of the emerging technologies, one common method is the use of granular activated carbon (GAC). GAC is made of organic materials with high carbon content and can be effective in removing PFAS when used in a flow through filter model. In communities where GAC filters have been installed, water treatment facilities will be required to monitor and report their effluent PFAS levels.
Emerging Filtration Technologies
Beyond GAC filtering, other proposed technologies include High-Pressure Membrane Filtration (HPMF), specifically, Nanofiltration (NF) and Reverse Osmosis (RO), and Anion Exchange (AX), and certain destructive techniques such as electrochemical oxidation and supercritical water oxidation which relies on ultraviolet light, plasma, ultrasound, or catalyst-driven thermal processes.
Stay Up to Date on PFAS
In February 2023 the EPA announced the availability of $2B of funds through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to address emerging contaminants, including PFAS in drinking water.
The Water Resources team at Environmental Design Group recognizes that concern for PFAS is high and that the research, findings, and regulations are continually evolving. Our experienced professionals are staying on top of the latest industry news and are here to answer your questions and help your community find solutions. Contact us for more information.