PFAS in Source and Ambient Air, Part 5

When we look at destruction options for PFAS, we are often looking at some form of thermal remediation or incineration. With these processes we must monitor the destruction efficiency of the target compounds and monitor the stack gas for what is being emitted into the ambient air. We also need to be mindful of what is occurring at facilities where PFAS chemicals are part of the manufacturing process. As of April 9, 2024, the U.S. EPA has released an updated version of their Interim Guidance on Destroying and Disposing of PFAS which provides guidance on how these processes can be measured.

There is growing attention being paid to background levels of PFAS, some of which comes from wet or dry deposition of PFAS from ambient air. Along with the focus on ambient comes the question of what may be emitted from a facility, or migrating offsite during construction or excavation, and the need for perimeter air monitoring.

Agencies like NIOSH, CDC, ATSDR, and EPA continue to tackle the questions around worker exposure, indoor air quality, and vapor intrusion. All of these assessments require unique methods for the types of air, types of PFAS, and relevant levels of PFAS in those environments.

PFAS have unique chemical and physical properties, requiring special consideration when designing a sampling and analytical process for evaluating these chemicals in ambient air or source air emissions. Standard EPA test methods for other organic compounds in various types of air, provide the foundation for establishing defensible testing processes. Building upon those foundations, various techniques have been further developed to target certain PFAS of concern in source air emissions, ambient air, indoor air, and even soil vapor.

Topics the Presentation Will Cover Include:

• Sources of PFAS in Air
• Regulatory drivers to test for PFAS in Air, including NEW Destruction and Disposal Guidance
• EPA Guidance Methods, including OTM-45, OTM-50, OTM-55,
• EPA Standard Methods as building blocks, including Modified TO-13A/TO-10A, Modified TO-17
• PFAS modifications of sample collection and analysis methods
• What do the data show us so far

Original Airdate:  Tuesday, April 23, 2024
 
Length:  60 minutes 

Presenter: Courtney Adkins - Eurofins Environment Testing