PFAS Science Webinars for EPA Region 1 and State & Tribal Partners
EPA hosted PFAS Science Webinars on September 16 and 23, 2020 for EPA Region 1 and state & tribal partners. These webinars provided PFAS information and research updates to Region 1 and New England states and tribes.
The first webinar included an overview of ongoing PFAS research and technical support activities, analytical methods for PFAS in environmental media, and PFAS treatment in drinking water and wastewater. The second webinar focused on more recent research topics including PFAS disposal and destruction, PFAS air emissions, transport and deposition, and PFAS in biosolids.
While these webinars are intended for EPA Region 1, we hope that all states can find this information useful. Here you will find links to the presentations and recordings.
Presentation Materials for Session 1: Overview of EPA PFAS R&D: Recent Accomplishments and Near-term Objectives
EPA’s PFAS R&D activities are organized around the risk paradigm— understanding human and ecological toxicity and exposures to characterize and assess risk; and understanding how to manage risk through treatment, remediation and material management techniques. This presentation provides an overview of the different lines of R&D that EPA is conducting to address gaps and generate scientific information to enable decision makers to take action on PFAS.
Presentation Materials for Session 2: Analytical Methods for PFAS in Environmental Media
This presentation provided a summary and update on EPA analytical methods for PFAS in drinking, ground, surface and wastewaters in addition to solid samples such as soils, sediments, biosolids and tissues. Protocols for sampling and analysis of air emissions are being developed. EPA is also developing and evaluating methods for total organic fluorine, total oxidizable precursors, and non-targeted analyses.
For more information, visit PFAS Analytical Methods Development and Sampling Research.
Presentation Materials for Session 3: PFAS Treatment in Drinking Water and Wastewater – State of the Science Presentation
This presentation provided an overview of EPA's research on drinking water and wastewater treatment, including resources and capabilities that can be helpful to regions and states. Removing PFAS from drinking water can be an expensive proposition. Three treatment processes can be effective for PFAS removal: granular activated carbon, ion exchange resins, and high-pressure membrane systems. The optimal choice between these technologies is a balance between many factors.
Presentation Materials for Session 4: PFAS Disposal and Destruction Research
The presentation provided an update on disposal and destruction research for PFAS, which have many and varied pathways into waste streams. Determining the appropriate, ultimate disposal of PFAS wastes is a complex issue due to their volatility, solubility, and environmental mobility and persistence.
Presentation Materials for Session 5: Source Emissions Measurement Methods and Modeling Air Emissions, Transport and Deposition
This presentation provided an update on source emission measurement approaches and methods to support comprehensive emissions characterizations, including industrial, chemical manufacturing and thermal treatment/combustion sources. The presentation also included a summary of a case study investigating PFAS air emissions from a polymer processing facility near Fayetteville, NC.
Presentation Materials for Session 6: PFAS in Biosolids
The presentation provided a summary of EPA’s past, ongoing and proposed research on PFAS in biosolids. Research includes analytical method development, research on the fate of PFAS in land-applied biosolids, and sewage sludge incineration technologies.