Grantee Research Project Results
2020 Progress Report: Characterization and Quantification of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in landfill gas and estimate of emissions from U.S. Landfills
EPA Grant Number: R839600Title: Characterization and Quantification of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in landfill gas and estimate of emissions from U.S. Landfills
Investigators: Barlaz, Morton A. , Field, Jennifer , Simonich, Staci
Institution: Oregon State University , North Carolina State University at Raleigh
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: September 1, 2019 through August 31, 2022 (Extended to August 31, 2024)
Project Period Covered by this Report: September 1, 2019 through August 31,2020
Project Amount: $900,000
RFA: Practical Methods to Analyze and Treat Emerging Contaminants (PFAS) in Solid Waste, Landfills, Wastewater/Leachates, Soils, and Groundwater to Protect Human Health and the Environment (2018) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Drinking Water , Water Quality , Human Health , Water , PFAS Treatment
Objective:
The overall research objective is to estimate the mass of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that are present in landfill gas (LFG) and the mass of PFAS emitted as fugitive emissions. Subobjectives are to: (1) develop methods to sample and analyze LFG for targeted and non-targeted PFAS; (2) measure PFAS concentrations at a cross section of U.S. landfills in different climatic regions; (3) develop a model to estimate PFAS production and emissions at the U.S. national scale; (4) evaluate the potential impact of soil attenuation on PFAS emissions; (5) measure gas-phase PFAS release from mixed waste and food packaging materials.
Progress Summary:
Task 1: Develop methods to sample and analyze PFAS in LFG
We have developed and are fine tuning a sampling system (Figure 1) that will allow us to collect and pass a precise volume of LFG though a sorbent tube. We designed this system to allow us to collect samples from two target sampling points within the landfill gas collection system: (1) main header (2) well head (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Sampling diagram for landfill gas collection. Two types of sampling points (main header and well head) are shown.
A total of 47 target, semi-quantitative, and suspect volatile PFAS from nine classes will be analyzed including fluorotelomer alcohols (4:2, 6:2, 8:2, and 10:2 FTOHs), C8 perfluorinated sulfonamides (N-MeFOSA, N-EtFOSA), and C8 perfluorinated sulfonamidoethanols (N-MeFOSE, N-EtFOSE). Suspect PFAS include the C2-C7 perfluorinated sulfonamidoethanols and 4-12:2-FTOH based on prior ambient air studies within and around landfills as well as prior studies of PFAS in atmospheric samples. 1-3 Figure 2A shows a chromatogram for the 47 compounds analyzed by TD-GC-MS, demonstrating the capability of the TD -GC-MS method to detect PFAS. Preliminary analysis on a field sample collected from a landfill in NC (Figure 2B) revealed the predominance of 4:2, 6:2, 8:2, 10:2 and 12:2 FTOHs with semi-quantitative concentrations ranging from 74 - 224 μg/m, one or two orders of magnitude higher than ambient air measurements reported above a landfill. 1-3
Figure 2. Detection of volatile PFAS by TD-GC-MS operated in PCI scan mode.
Task 2: Measure PFAS concentrations at a cross section of US landfills in different climate regions. The objective of this task is to develop estimates of the concentration of individual PFASs in LFG, and to assess the impact of waste age and climate on PFAS concentrations.
Task 3: Develop a model to estimate PFAS production and emissions at the US national scale. The objective of Task 3 is to develop and parameterize a model to estimate a range for the total annual mass of PFASs produced in landfills and the annual mass released to the atmosphere as a result of fugitive emissions.
Task 4: Assess the impact of soil on the attenuation of PFAS in LFG that is not collected. The objective of this task is to evaluate the potential for the attenuation or transformation of PFASs in landfill cover soils.
Task 5: Measure the production of volatile PFASs from residential MSW and food waste packaging during anaerobic decomposition. The objective of this task is to measure the release of volatile PFASs from residential MSW and food packaging paper, both of which have been reported to contain PFASs.
References:
1. Tian, Y.; Yao, Y.; Chang, S.; Zhao, Z.; Zhao, Y.; Yuan, X.; Wu, F.; Sun, H. Occurrence and Phase Distribution of Neutral and Ionizable Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) in the Atmosphere and Plant Leaves around Landfills: A Case Study in Tianjin, China. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2018, 52 (3), 1301-1310; 10.1021/acs.est.7b05385.
2. Weinberg, I.; Dreyer, A.; Ebinghaus, R. Landfills as sources of polyfluorinated compounds, polybrominated diphenyl ethers and musk fragrances to ambient air. Atmos. Environ. 2011, 45 (4), 935-941;
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2010.11.011.
3. Ahrens, L.; Shoeib, M.; Harner, T.; Lee, S.C.; Guo, R.; Reiner, E.J. Wastewater Treatment Plant and Landfills as Sources of Polyfluoroalkyl Compounds to the Atmosphere. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2011, 45 (19), 8098-8105;
10.1021/es1036173.
Journal Articles on this Report : 1 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
| Other project views: | All 15 publications | 3 publications in selected types | All 3 journal articles |
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Titaley IA, De la Cruz FB, Field JA. Comment on “Release of Volatile Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances from Aqueous Film-Forming Foam”. Environmental Science & Technology Letters 2020;7(11):866-8. |
R839600 (2020) R839600 (2021) R839600 (Final) |
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Supplemental Keywords:
landfill gas, emissions inventory, landfill model, food packaging, PFASRelevant Websites:
Progress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.