EPA Research Partner Support Story: Sampling and analysis of PFAS in fume suppressants at electroplating facilities

Partner: Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE)
Challenge: Understanding sources of PFAS from electroplating facilities
Resource: Sampling and analysis (both targeted and non-targeted) of PFAS in fume suppressants at electroplating facilities
Project Period: 2018 – 2020

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals that include PFOA, PFOS, GenX and many other chemicals. There is evidence that exposure to PFAS can lead to adverse human health effects. Fume suppressants are commonly used by metal coating facilities to control air emissions and reduce worker exposure to hexavalent chromium, a known human carcinogen and inhalation hazard. While EPA required chrome platers to stop using PFOS-containing fume suppressants in chrome plating tanks in September 2015, some facilities that had stopped using PFOS-containing fume suppressants years ago were still discharging high concentrations of PFOS to sanitary sewers. These discharges caused municipal wastewater treatment plants to exceed state water quality standards. Exceedances continued even after extensive cleaning and disposal efforts. Industries and regulators were concerned that "PFOS-free" replacement products might still contain PFOS. To answer these questions, Michigan EGLE asked EPA ORD to conduct laboratory analysis of fume suppressant products and effluent from 11 Michigan chrome plating facilities to investigate PFAS.

“EGLE is grateful for the assistance provided by EPA Region 5 and ORD in investigating sources of PFOS. Their analysis demonstrated to chrome platers that the PFOS in their wastewater was not related to the PFAS in the fume suppressants that they currently use. Instead, the PFOS is likely the legacy from the previous generation of fume suppressants. This kind of information is invaluable to industries trying to reduce PFOS in their effluent to protect surface waters from these persistent pollutants.” –Michigan PFAS Action Response Team (MPART) Executive Director Steve Sliver (retired)

EPA scientists used targeted and non-targeted analysis laboratory methods to identify and measure concentrations of PFAS in 12 fume suppressant samples and 11 effluent samples (collected prior to treatment for PFAS) from the chrome plating facilities. None of the currently used fume suppressants were found to contain detectable amounts of PFOS. In addition, none of the replacement products were found to contain PFOS precursors, which are specific PFAS that could break down into PFOS. In the targeted analysis, only one PFAS compound, 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonates (FTS) was found in the currently used fume suppressants. Current discharges of PFOS are, therefore, assumed to be associated with historical use of PFOS-containing products.

EGLE used the information by provided by ORD to publish a report and conduct a successful webinar targeted toward the metal finishing industry to provide better understanding of sources of PFOS and how to reduce the amount of this pollutant released into the environment. EGLE has also shared this information with other state agencies as they work to address PFOS levels in their water systems.