With the recent release of our new PFAS ambient air testing method (PFAS PAS), we wanted to shed some light on airborne PFAS. Air emissions are becoming the “next frontier” for PFAS scrutiny and regulation because research has demonstrated that PFAS can be transported through the atmosphere and deposited far from their original source. Unlike drinking water or wastewater, ambient air monitoring is still in the early stages of attention and regulation. We see agencies and laboratories developing methods and industries beginning baseline monitoring. PFAS in ambient air drivers include: industrial stack emissions, ambient air and fence-line monitoring, community exposure studies, landfill air emissions, wastewater treatment facilities, and airport/fire training sites.
Several US states, including Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, and Florida have conducted statewide PFAS in ambient air studies. In general, findings showed short-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs like PFBA, PFPrA) and PFOS as the most frequent ionic compounds, while 6:2 fluorotelomer alcohol (6:2 FTOH) and other FTOHs were the most abundant volatile PFAS. FTOHs tends to be the main PFAS group of concern due to the volatility and propensity to transform for long range transport.
Eight US states have air concentration standards or guidance, for a very limited regulated analyte list, which is reflective of each state’s primary PFAS contamination source or regulatory focus.
There is currently no EPA-approved method for ambient air monitoring of PFAS, although method development is underway. ASTM D8591-24 is a standardized test method for measuring volatile FTOHs in air using thermal desorption and tandem mass spectrometry. SGS also has a validated PFAS in ambient air method (PFAS PAS) that reports the same 49 analyte list reported by OTM-45. Initially targeted at PFAS destruction and remediation systems, PFAS PAS has garnered the attention of the industrial hygiene, wastewater treatment plants, and fence-line monitoring applications.
For more information on how these updates impact you, contact our experts today.
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US Policy News
EPA pulls guidance to address PFAS in wastewater permits
The agency announced the change as part of a broader rescission of five documents that it said no longer reflected current laws and executive orders.
US News by State
Minnesota
Hastings sues Minnesota company 3M over ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water | MPR News
The southeastern Twin Cities suburb of Hastings is suing Maplewood-based 3M over “forever chemicals“ in the city’s drinking water.
Wisconsin
State budget committee releases $10M to clean up PFAS
The state budget committee on Tuesday released $10 million in settlement funds to clean up PFAS contamination.
Illinois
Galesburg releases statement after Illinois EPA says it found elevated PFAS levels in water samples
The city of Galesburg has released a statement after the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency said a PFAS compound exceeded legal levels in the community water system.
North Carolina
Military installations facing delays in cleaning up toxic “forever chemicals”
A new report reveals that hundreds of military installations across the country are facing major delays in cleaning up toxic “forever chemicals”—and North Carolina is among the host states in the crosshairs.
New York
New York lawmakers push tighter PFAS drinking water limits amid federal changes
New York lawmakers are pushing to tighten the state’s drinking water standards for several so-called “forever chemicals,” as the administration moves to change parts of federal PFAS regulations.
Global News
One-third of drinking water supplies contain high levels of PFAS – DutchNews.nl
Water companies have called for PFAS chemicals to be banned in pesticides after a study showed that one-third of people are exposed to high levels of the “forever chemicals” in drinking water.
An analysis by Greenpeace of every postcode in the Netherlands showed that the water in 32% of areas contains PFAS levels that are at least 1.5 times the recommended safe level.