PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a diverse group of man-made chemicals. PFAS repel water and oil and are resistant to heat and chemical reactions. Perfluorononanoic Acid (PFNA), Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) are among the most commonly detected PFAS in humans, biota, and other environmental media, and are also among the most commonly regulated PFAS.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) accepted drinking water Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for PFOA and PFOS in 2017 and 2018, respectively. On March 13, 2019, NJDEP established an interim-specific ground water quality standard (GWQS) and interim Practical Quantitation Limits (PQLs) for both PFOA and PFOS. The NJDEP adopted a drinking water MCL for PFNA in 2015. The NJDEP also adopted a specific GWQS for PFNA and added PFNA to New Jersey’s Hazardous Substance List in 2018.
An increasing number of studies performed globally indicate that PFAS are ubiquitous. Their persistence and ability to transport are of growing concern, as resistance to natural attenuation processes in groundwater results in long-distance migration in plumes, potentially affecting drinking water supplies. Health effects and toxicity are only beginning to be understood.
The demand for PFAS testing and analysis has increased, and because of their ubiquitous nature, PFAS present both a sampling challenge and an important consideration in source attribution by regulators. Information about PFAS is being generated from various governmental agencies and non-governmental organizations and continues to evolve at a fast pace. Regulatory policy and guidance are also in flux and are in some ways incomplete, resulting in decision uncertainty and implementation challenges for practitioners and site owners.
This program is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding and the most up-to-date information associated with PFAS, including: history and sources of PFAS; regulatory status and future industrial/legal implications with a focus on New Jersey; the unique chemistry of PFAS, including precursors; exposure, health effects, and toxicity; sampling and analytical challenges and options; fate and transport; remediation challenges; data evaluation; and forensics.
The presenters were selected based on their intimate knowledge of the issues and their ability to answer practical questions. Attendees are encouraged to raise topics for discussion about the technical and regulatory challenges associated with PFAS investigations.