Evaluation and Management Strategies for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) in Drinking Water Aquifers: Perspectives from Impacted U.S. Northeast Communities

Abstract

Background:Multiple Northeast U.S. communities have discovered per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in drinking water aquifers in excess of health-based regulatory levels or advisories. Regional stakeholders (consultants, regulators, and others) need technical background and tools to mitigate risks associated with exposure to PFAS-affected groundwater.Objectives:The aim was to identify challenges faced by stakeholders to extend best practices to other regions experiencing PFAS releases and to establish a framework for research strategies and best management practices.Methods and Approach:Management challenges were identified during stakeholder engagement events connecting attendees with PFAS experts in focus areas, including fate/transport, toxicology, and regulation. Review of the literature provided perspective on challenges in all focus areas. Publicly available data were used to characterize sources of PFAS impacts in groundwater and conduct a geospatial case study of potential source locations relative to drinking water aquifers in Rhode Island.Discussion:Challenges in managing PFAS impacts in drinking water arise from the large number of relevant PFASs, unconsolidated information regarding sources, and limited studies on some PFASs. In particular, there is still considerable uncertainty regarding human health impacts of PFASs. Frameworks sequentially evaluating exposure, persistence, and treatability can prioritize PFASs for evaluation of potential human health impacts. A regional case study illustrates how risk-based, geospatial methods can help address knowledge gaps regarding potential sources of PFASs in drinking water aquifers and evaluate risk of exposure.Conclusion:Lessons learned from stakeholder engagement can assist in developing strategies for management of PFASs in other regions. However, current management practices primarily target a subset of PFASs for which in-depth studies are available. Exposure to less-studied, co-occurring PFASs remains largely unaddressed. Frameworks leveraging the current state of science can be applied toward accelerating this process and reducing exposure to total PFASs in drinking water, even as research regarding health effects continues. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP2727

Per‐ and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS): Anglers May Be Exposed to Harmful Chemicals in Their Catch

“…Similarly, human epidemiological studies have indicated correlations between PFAS exposure and physiological, immunological, and developmental problems (Guelfo et al. ; Sunderland et al. ).…”

“…; Guelfo et al. ). Treatment of PFAS‐contaminated soil via high temperature kilns is effective, with extremely high temperatures causing PFAS compounds to break down.…”

“…Humans ingest the chemicals through contaminated groundwater pumped for drinking water (Guelfo et al. ), and contaminated groundwater often flows into surface water bodies, spreading PFAS into the environment (McCarthy et al. ).…”

“…Exposure to PFAS has been linked to a multitude of negative health outcomes in test animals and humans (Guelfo et al. ). In mammal studies, PFOS and PFOA have been found to cause negative physiological, immunological, and natal effects (DeWitt et al.…”

“…These substances have been manufactured, distributed, and employed for a variety of household, emergency response, and industrial uses for more than 70 years (Ahrens and Bundschuh 2014). These compounds have been most commonly used for waterproof coatings, non-stick finishes, and specialized firefighting foam to combat petroleum and chemical fires (aqueous film forming foam [AFFF]; Guelfo et al 2018). The same characteristics of PFAS that allow them to be highly useful-namely the stability of these compounds due to strong carbon-fluorine bonds and the ability to quickly spread out as a film across flammable liquids-result in high mobility and persistence in the environment (Ahrens and Bundschuh 2014).…”