Posted by Tori Morgan on Monday, September 25, 2023
Updated: 1/30/2024
Information about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is everywhere – in the news, on social media, coming from regulators – and it’s hard to stay current, let alone separate the facts from opinions.
To help you stay up-to-date on the ever-evolving topic of PFAS, we distilled the critical information you need to know and organized it by industry. We'll continually add and update as PFAS-related news changes.
PFAS: Understanding the Cycle
- What are PFAS?
- Where are they used?
- What is the Cycle?
- Why is this all so confusing?
- What can I do?
download PFAS in Water
- What are the chances PFAS are in our water?
- What are the current regulatory requirements in PA?
- What if we find PFAS?
- What should utilities tell their consumers?
download PFAS in Wastewater
- How do PFAS affect my WWTP?
- What are the current regulatory requirements in PA?
- What can I do right now?
download PFAS in Industry
- Which industries most likely produce PFAS?
- What are the current state or federal regulatory requirements?
- What should manufacturers be doing right now?
download PFAS in Biosolids
- How do PFAS affect Biosolids?
- What are the current state or federal regulatory requirements?
- What do biosold producers need to do now?
download Finding the Facts
The referenced sources for the facts on our downloads are listed below. And if you geek out like I do over this topic, these make for some great reading to better understand PFAS and the PFAS cycle.
Understanding the Cycle
- Wastewater Digest: The Surprising Places PFAS Are Being Found - December 2021
- EPA Technical Fact Sheet: Drinking Water Health Advisories for Four PFAS - June 2022: Provides the statistic that approximately 80% of PFAS entering our bodies comes from environmental sources, and 20% comes from drinking water.
- Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) PFAS Action Team Initial Report - 2019: History of PFAS in PA and info about the Cycle, precursor to the PA DEP Testing Report
- PA DEP website page on PFAS – for the latest state updates
PFAS in Water
- PA DEP PFAS Testing in PA - 2019 to 2021: Note the laboratory reporting limits for all 18 PFAS were from 1.7 to 4.0 ppt. All sampling results sorted by county are available HERE.
- PA DEP PFAS MCL Rule: Limits & Testing Requirements - January 23, 2023
- EPA National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) - March 14, 2023: PROPOSED Limits & Testing Requirements
PFAS in Wastewater
- EPA Memo: Addressing PFAS Discharges in NPDES Permits and Through the Pretreatment Program and Monitoring Programs (Dec. 5, 2022)
- FAQ About PFAS Testing Methods for NPDES Permits | US EPA
- Key EPA Actions to Address PFAS | US EPA
PFAS in Industry
- CWA Analytical Methods for Per- and Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances (PFAS) | US EPA
- EPA Memo: Addressing PFAS Discharges in NPDES Permits and Through the Pretreatment Program and Monitoring Programs (Dec. 5, 2022)
PFAS in Biosolids
- Federal Register: Designation of Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctanesulfonic Acid (PFOS) as CERCLA Hazardous Substances
- Risk Assessment of Pollutants in Biosolids | US EPA
- Landfills Effluent Guidelines | US EPA
- CERCLA Limiting Liability Letter Example (April 28, 2022)
Categories: Industrial & Manufacturing | Municipal Infrastructure
Tagged: Potable Water | Wastewater | Municipal Engineering | Environmental | Engineering | Regulations | Health & Safety