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gel.com problem solved Updates on Analytical Techniques and Trending Issues for Emerging Contaminants of Concern GEL Laboratories, LLC GEL Engineering of NC, Inc. February 20, 2020
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Updates on Analytical Techniques and
Trending Issues for Emerging
Contaminants of Concern
GEL Laboratories, LLC
GEL Engineering of NC, Inc.
February 20, 2020
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Topics
• The GEL Group
• PFAS Overview and Analytical Methods❖ Uses
❖ Contamination Sources
❖ Transport
❖ Regulatory
❖ Analytical Methods
❖ Next Steps
• Field Assessments and Procedures
• Regulatory/Guidance Updates
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GEL Engineering
▪ Permitting & Compliance
▪ Environmental Due Diligence
▪ Civil Engineering & Survey
▪ Waste Expertise
▪ Air Emissions Testing
▪ Industrial Hygiene
Charleston Columbia Greenville Raleigh Asheville
http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=tlp8NMxtZXlieM&tbnid=P0we0pX36y9eRM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://omiusajpic.org/2013/04/25/dupont-ebay-asked-to-report-on-lobbying-expenditures-and-activities/&ei=jiN4Uv_wAvHgsASS14D4Aw&bvm=bv.55819444,d.cWc&psig=AFQjCNGJ_pVeNNMGImoiNglN9dBcl16XXQ&ust=1383691529371878https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=atJPfv21E2_KdM&tbnid=x11Bt6TXwdfi6M:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=https://columbiascegseminar.eventbrite.com/&ei=GCJ4UtqYAcrgsAT2mILwBA&bvm=bv.55819444,d.cWc&psig=AFQjCNFMV0T9d-65L5Qocv9XCpxj67TIDA&ust=1383691154679930http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=EcHdOzu3pqFQ7M&tbnid=0V2Ojm4sLP8cAM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://www.fox8live.com/story/19868232/nucor-to-begin-hiring-for-st-james-plant&ei=MiN4UsmqMfPSsATWxoHoAw&bvm=bv.55819444,d.cWc&psig=AFQjCNEvzDqn6SDdmO6_xE_FbZXQczkOyQ&ust=1383691434638873http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=LJYGpbw6dnrhcM&tbnid=47nYOVHeW2IwPM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://www.aerospacecomponents.org/member-profiles.html&ei=Uvd4UpbiG-XdsATLuIDoBw&bvm=bv.55980276,d.cWc&psig=AFQjCNEn2MfDMh6kPi3b6iktDhJlFfPM-Q&ust=1383745718188951http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=Buuw28SNb4McPM&tbnid=Gp-cgq5cDOglqM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://www.aiccse.org/newsletters/july-13-2011&ei=Xfh4UqiiNZOwsQTvz4BI&bvm=bv.55980276,d.cWc&psig=AFQjCNHoJRJlZtNDGRNx5laYMKkshjMJZg&ust=1383745936534076
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GEL Solutions
▪ Subsurface Utility Engineering
▪ Surveying
▪ Geophysical Services
▪ CCTV
Charleston Raleigh Charlotte Asheville Greensboro Marietta Jacksonville
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GEL Laboratories, LLC
Laboratory
Service Center -
Hanford
• Department of Energy
• Department of Defense
• Nuclear Power
• Waste Treatment
• State and Federal Compliance
• Radiobioassay
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Why are We Here?
(Preston Howard, 01/10/19)
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Per - (Poly) Fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
• Human-made compounds
• One of the strongest chemical bonds in nature C-F
• Bioaccumulate – adhere to protein
• High stability in acids, bases, oxidants, heat
• High solubility
• Used in many applications
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Non-stick
Coatings
Electroplating Carpet and
fabric
protector
Aqueous
Film
Forming
Foam
Cosmetics
and
Personal
Care
Food Packaging
Drilling & Mining
Hydraulic Fluids
Outdoor
Gear
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Sources of Contamination
Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF)
Developed in the 1960’s by 3M for the U.S. Navy
• Primarily used on fuel-based fires
• Fire suppression systems
• Emergency response
• Fire fighting training
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Sources of Contamination
• Landfill Leachates
• Wastewater
• Biosolids
• Stack emissions
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Regulatory Health Advisory Levels
The most prominently studied compounds:
PFOS –3M : Scotchgard ™ and AFFF
PFOA – Dupont : Surfactant in the manufacture of fluoropolymers
• Inconsistent Health Advisory Limits in the U.S.
• EPA 70 ng/L each for PFOA and PFOS
• State limit and guidance under ongoing development
• Waste Limit Criteria has not been established in U.S.
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Analytical Methods
• EPA Method 537 Rev. 1 (2018) - prescriptive analyte list
• EPA Method 533 (2018) – prescriptive analyte list
• SW-846 8327 method for soils, liquids, and waste material
LC/MS/MS with method of sample preparation, instrument
calibration and process control. Not accepted for DoD or DOE
validated data (considered a screening method).
• DoD QSM Table B-15 – Isotope Dilution – Multiple
matrices, restrictive quality parameters.
• SW-846 draft Method 8328 – Isotope Dilution
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Analytical Methods – Non-Drinking Water
EPA Method 537 “Modified”
• Ground Water, Wastewater, Soils, Tissue, AFFF
Formulations
• AB SCIEX Triple Quad 5500 LC/MS/MS System
• Lower limits of detection and quantitation
• >40 Compounds including GenX
• Isotope Dilution
• SPE for Liquid Samples
• Additional process control requirements
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What’s next…
ITRC (Interstate Technology Regulatory Council)
• Environmental Regulators, Agency Representatives, Industry
Experts, Community Stakeholders, and Academia
• PFAS Fact Sheets - Published Spring 2018
• Training Workshops –Federal, State, and non-profit agencies
• PFAS Technical and Regulatory Guidance document – 2020
• https://www.itrcweb.org/
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Environmental Fate and Transport
Source: ITRC Fact Sheet: Environmental Fate and Transport for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (3/16/18)
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Site Characterization – A Few Considerations
• Sorption to soil
• PFAS partition to interfaces (air-water, soil-water, NAPL-water)
• High transport potential in groundwater
• Polyfluorinated PFAS are “precursors” that transform to more
stable perfluorinated PFAS in oxidizing conditions
• Off-site occurrences
• Air emission and deposition
• POTW effluent discharge and sludge/biosolids applications
• Remedial action waste “redistribution” to landfills, etc.
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General Sampling Protocol – Do’s and Don’ts
Avoid:• Teflon and other fluropolymer equipment/supplies (unless tested)
• Gore-Tex, water resistant, or stain-treated clothing
• Tyvek, Nomex and Viton PPE
• Decon 90 (a fluoro-surfactant soap)
• Non-verified sunblock and insect repellents
• Cosmetics, moisturizers, hand creams
• Food and drink packaging, aluminum foil
• Self-sticking notes
• Waterproof paper, notebooks and labels
• Reusable chemical or gel ice packs
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General Sampling Protocol – Do’s and Don’ts
• Recommended/Preferred:
• HDPE, polypropylene, silicone, acetate supplies
• Synthetic or natural fiber clothing, 6x washed w/o fabric softener
• Powderless nitrile gloves
• Tested and approved sunblock, insect repellents, cosmetics
• Alconox, Liquinox
• Water ice in double LDPE bags
• Field Equipment Blanks!
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General Sampling Protocol – Do’s and Don’ts
Source: Michigan DEQ PFAS Sampling Guidance (10/16/18)
Document
Products
Used:
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General Sampling Protocol
Field Equipment Blanks
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Recent Nationwide PFAS Assessments
Source: Environmental Working Group
(January 2020)
https://www.ewg.org/interactive-maps/2019_pfas_contamination/map/?_ga=2.161962613.891445333.1581949101-811220666.1579874981
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EWG Found PFAS in 31 States and D.C. Tap Water
Source: Environmental Working Group (January 2020)
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Recent Tabulation –
State Drinking Water
Limits/Guidance
From: Strategy to Assess the Impacts of Per-
and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance on Drinking Water
in South Carolina (SCDHEC, January 30, 2020)
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EPA Interim Guidance for Addressing PFOS/PFOA
Groundwater Contamination (December 2019)
• Applies to sites being evaluated under federal cleanup programs
(CERCLA or RCRA Corrective Actions).
• Recommended groundwater screening levels of 40 ng/L for
PFOA or PFOS, individually.
• Recommended Preliminary Remediation Goal for PFOA and
PFOS (combined or individual) in groundwater of 70 ng/L, if no
state or tribal Maximum Contaminant Levels exist.
• If current drinking water source, EPA expects the remediating
party to address PFOA and/or PFOS > 70 ng/L.
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National Defense Authorization Act (Dec. 2019)
• Military is prohibited from using PFAS firefighting foams after
10/1/2024 (exceptions: use on ships, emergency responses,
limited testing/training circumstances).
• Incineration must occur at proper facilities in accordance with the
Clean Air Act.
• Requires military firefighters blood testing.
• DOD to temporarily supply water to agricultural users whose
irrigation is contaminated with PFAS from military installations.
• (continued)
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National Defense Authorization Act (Dec. 2019)
(continued)
• At a governor’s request, DOD is required to “work expeditiously”
on agreement to address PFAS contamination in drinking and
surface water or groundwater from DOD activities.
• Bans PFAS in military food packaging
• Toxic Substances Control Act
• Adds 160 PFAS substances to Toxic Release Inventory
(EPCRA)
• TRI manufacturing/processing reporting thresholds of 100 lbs
each of listed PFAS
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“Improve the Quality of Life of this and future generations by helping people Protect and be Good
Stewards of our Environment and Natural Resources.”
GEL’s Core Purpose:
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Contacts
Bob Pullano, Director, Quality Systems
Andrew Stahl, L.G., Senior Hydrogeologist
Reggie Reeves, PM, Environmental Scientist
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]
