EPA PFAS Methods Update, Part 2
Citation:
Shields, E. EPA PFAS Methods Update, Part 2. DOE/DoD EMDQ Conference, Orlando, FL, September 18 - 21, 2023.
Impact/Purpose:
This abstract is for a presentation to provide DOE/DoD EMDQ conference attendees with important updates on ORD research methods for source sampling of PFAS and fluorochemicals. Background and future updates of OTM-45 will be discussed as well as an introduction to OTM-50 and the developing semivolatile method. Some examples of the methods' applications will be shown too.
Description:
The characterization of emissions of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other fluorinated organics from sources is vital to understand the efficacy of destruction and pollution control technologies and the potential contamination a source may cause to the environment. PFAS possess a wide range of chemical and physical properties and one technique cannot be used to measure all PFAS. The U.S. EPA has been developing methods to sample and analyze source emissions for polar and nonpolar volatile, semivolatile, and nonvolatile PFAS and fluorochemicals. Other Test Method (OTM)–45, released in 2021, was created to measure polar PFAS, e.g., PFOA, and is currently under revision. By the end of 2023, OTM-50 will be released as a method to sample and analyze nonpolar volatile fluorochemicals and PFAS, e.g., tetrafluoromethane. A new method to analyze nonpolar semivolatile PFAS and fluorochemicals is under development too. Together these methods show promise as effective tools to analyze for parent PFAS and fluorinated products of incomplete combustion or destruction. This helps evaluate destruction technologies and identify releases of PFAS into the environment.