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An Inventory of Industrial Effluent and Impacted Water by Non-Targeted Analysis finds PFAS - Old and New
Citation:
McCord, J. AND M. Strynar. An Inventory of Industrial Effluent and Impacted Water by Non-Targeted Analysis finds PFAS - Old and New. 2021 SETAC North American Annual Meeting, Virtual, November 14 - 18, 2021.
Impact/Purpose:
Environmental screening is necessary to identify new and emerging chemical contaminants. Through partnership with NJDEP/Region 2 we obtained wastewater effluent from an industrial manufacturer and examined it, along with local groundwater, using mass spectrometry techniques. We were able to identify known, legacy contaminants of the local environment within the originating effluent, as well as unique PFAS of emerging concern previously associated with the manufacturer, and new species not previously detected in this region. Long-term, the detected compounds are of interest for local biomonitoring efforts and toxicity/exposure modeling as PFAS of concern for similarly affected regions.
Description:
Industrial producers and users of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) are a major source of chemical contamination to nearby communities due to historical releases of legacy PFAS. Following the general phase-out of legacy PFAS such as PFOA/PFOS, industrial usage has shifted to alternative PFAS chemicals and it has been the domain of non-targeted analysis (NTA) to identify replacement species. Knowledge of emerging chemical contaminants is of significant environmental and human health impact due to the potential for widespread release, persistence, and bioaccumulation of PFAS species, along with their concomitant toxicological effects, which are frequently understudied. We obtained samples of industrial effluent from a NJ fluoropolymer manufacturer which were emitted to the Delaware River and a local wastewater authority, as well as influent “non-contact” ground water and treated water from the wastewater authority. NTA using high-resolution mass spectrometry was used to examine the chemical identities of PFAS within these samples and compare the chemical identities and abundances of legacy and emerging chemical contaminants. The non-targeted analysis was able to identify legacy contaminants of use in the region [primarily perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA)], a previously identified family of chlorinated perfluoropolyethers (ClPFPECAs), polyfluorinated side products of polyfluorovinylidine (PVDF), as well as several other novel PFAS species exhibiting multiple ether linkages and carboxylic acid head groups. Several of these families have been previously reported as components of fluoropolymer manufacture in other locations in the United States, while some are novel to this measurement inventory. Abundance measurements indicate the measurable presence of effluent derived contaminants in localized groundwater and recirculation through processes that are “non-contact;” localized treatment options designed for PFNA appear to be able to remediate wastewater for emerging contaminants as well.
