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Practical Implications of Perfluoroalkyl Substances Adsorption on Bottle Materials: Isotherms
Citation:
Kleiner, E., T. Sanan, S. Smith, J. Pressman, G. Abulikemu, B. Crone, AND D. Wahman. Practical Implications of Perfluoroalkyl Substances Adsorption on Bottle Materials: Isotherms. AWWA Water Science. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, NJ, 3(5):e1243, (2021). https://doi.org/10.1002/aws2.1243
Impact/Purpose:
The environmental or health problem addressed by the study: Evaluation of PFAS adsorption to common bottle materials. A general description of the work and results: To assess the practical implications on using various bottle materials in future ion exchange (IX) or granular activated carbon (GAC) isotherm experiments, adsorption of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) onto three common bottle materials (silanized glass, polypropylene, and high-density polyethylene (HDPE)) was investigated. The long term importance or significance of the findings: Provides information on selection of experimental conditions for isotherm experiments to minimize adsorption of PFAS on bottles. Who would be interested in or could apply the results (e.g. program or regional partners, general public, local communities): Drinking water utilities, researchers, regulators, engineers, Regions, OW
Description:
To assess the practical implications on using various bottle materials in future ion exchange (IX) or granular activated carbon (GAC) isotherm experiments, adsorption of seven per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) onto three common bottle materials (silanized glass, polypropylene, and high-density polyethylene (HDPE)) was initially screened. Results were similar between bottle materials; therefore, only a single material (HDPE) was selected and used in a detailed bottle material isotherm study with eleven PFAS. For each PFAS, an HDPE bottle isotherm was generated (7 days, 5 mM NaCl) with equilibrium liquid phase concentrations relevant to drinking water (less than 2,000 ng/L). Percent recoveries between 90–103%, 85–114%, and 54–108% were determined for GenX, five perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCA), and five perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFSA), respectively, indicating only the five PFSA meaningfully adsorbed to the HDPE bottles. Furthermore, linear versions of two PFSA exhibited enhanced adsorption. For each PFSA studied, a linear isotherm was generated and used to develop guidance for conducting future IX and GAC isotherm studies. Specifically, the minimum initial isotherm concentration was established such that only a 1% loss would be expected to the HDPE bottles, resulting in required initial concentrations of the five PFSA between 21–75 times that of the design isotherm liquid equilibrium concentration.
URLs/Downloads:
DOI: Practical Implications of Perfluoroalkyl Substances Adsorption on Bottle Materials: Isotherms
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