Occurrence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and inorganic analytes in groundwater and surface water used as sources for public water supply in West Virginia

Abstract

Concentrations of chemical constituents in water are given in either milligram per liter (mg/L), microgram per liter (µg/L), or nanogram per liter (ng/L). viii Abbreviations 9Cl-PF3ONS 9-chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanonane-1-sulfonate 11Cl-PF3OUdS 11-chloroeicosafluoro-3-oxaundecane-1-sulfonate 4:2 FTS 4:2 fluorotelomersulfonate 6:2 FTS 6:2 fluorotelomersulfonate 8:2 FTS 8:2 fluorotelomersulfonate ADONA 4,8-dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoate CEC contaminants of emerging concern DO dissolved oxygen DoD U.S. Department of Defense EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency FASA perfluoroalkane sulfonamides HA health advisory HFPO-DA perfluoro-2-propoxypropanoate MCL maximum contaminant level N-EtFOSAA n-ethylperfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetate N-MeFOSAA n-methylperfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetate NFM National Field Manual NWQL National Water Quality Laboratory PFAA perfluoroalkyl acids PFAS per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances PFBA perfluorobutanoate PFBS perfluorobutanesulfonate PFCA perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acid PFDA perfluorodecanoate PFDS perfluorodecanesulfonate PFDoDA perfluorododecanoate PFHpA perfluoroheptanoate PFHpS perfluoroheptanesulfonate PFHxA perfluorohexanoate PFHxS perfluorohexanesulfonate PFNA perfluorononanoate PFNS perfluorononanesulfonate PFOA perfluorooctanoate PFOS perfluorooctanesulfonate ix PFOSA perfluorooctanesulfonamide PFPeA perfluoropentanoate PFPeS perfluoropentanesulfonate PFSA perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acid PFTeDA perfluorotetradecanoate PFTrDA perfluorotridecanoate

Investigation of Sources of Fluorinated Compounds in Private Water Supplies in an Oil and Gas-Producing Region of Northern West Virginia

“…We find that concentrations of targeted and nontargeted PFAS are higher in surface water than in groundwater and observed the highest PFAS concentrations in a remote tributary with a lower industrial footprint than locales along the Ohio River. These findings are contrary to initial observations made in the state-wide study of PFAS in West Virginia, 41 which found PFAS concentrations were generally higher in groundwater than surface water sources and at sites along the western boundary of the state near the Ohio River, emphasizing the importance of high-resolution sampling efforts from a variety of sources and locales.…”

“…49 These wells, like most private wells, are infrequently tested, 45,50 but they may be at a particular risk from PFAS contamination owing to this region's legacy of PFAS-generating industrial activities coupled with the recent acceleration in UOG development. 51 According to a recent study, 24% of 279 public water systems tested in the northern Appalachian state of West Virginia exhibited concentrations in source waters of at least one PFAS compound above the study's minimum reporting level (10 ng/ L) 41 ; however, the sources of PFAS could not be determined, and PFAS concentration in private well waters were not measured. Consequently, questions remain regarding PFAS levels in private water wells and whether these concentrations are reflective of those observed in public water systems.…”

“…While numerous studies have examined PFAS occurrence in public water systems, ,,− research on PFAS in private water supplies is just beginning. ,,,− Within rural communities of the northern Appalachian Basin (USA), more than one-fourth of households rely on private wells for drinking water and other domestic purposes . These wells, like most private wells, are infrequently tested, , but they may be at a particular risk from PFAS contamination owing to this region’s legacy of PFAS-generating industrial activities coupled with the recent acceleration in UOG development .…”

Concentrations of 45 Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in North American River Otters (Lontra canadensis) from West Virginia, USA

“…A recent study reported the highest detection frequencies of PFAS in surface waters of the Ohio River from the districts 5 and 6. 23 River otters inhabiting districts 5 and 6 are thus likely exposed to elevated PFAS concentrations. We divided the samples into two categories based on potential waterborne exposure from fluoropolymer facilities: districts 1−4 (N = 36) and districts 5−6 (N = 6).…”

“…22 Industrial releases of PFOA from a fluorochemical manufacturing facility at Parkersburg, West Virginia (WV) (Figure 1), into the Ohio River and the surrounding environment received considerable attention. 23 Elevated concentrations of PFOA were reported in surface water and drinking water in areas affected by historical releases from the fluorochemical facility. 23 Serum concentration of PFOA in an exposed human community in WV (geometric mean: 32.9 ng/ mL) was 8-fold higher than that of the U.S. general population in 2003−2004 (3.9 ng/mL).…”