Citation:

Schumacher, B., J. Zimmerman, A. Williams, C. Lutes, C. Holton, E. Escobar, H. Hayes, AND R. Warrier. Distribution of select per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances at a chemical manufacturing plant. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS. Elsevier Science Ltd, New York, NY, 464:133025, (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.133025

Impact/Purpose:

Certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have sufficient vapor pressures to be designated as vapor-forming chemicals and; thus, be a concern for vapor intrusion into the indoor air of residences and buildings overlying a contaminated soil or groundwater source. Sampling and analytical methods for several PFAS were demonstrated. Multiple PFAS species were found in the groundwater, soil, soil gas, and subslab soil gas. With the presence of PFAS in soil, soil gas (including subslab soil gas), and groundwater, the potential for a vapor intrusion pathway has been recognized; however, the final confirmatory analysis of indoor air to complete the exposure pathway is lacking. The vapor intrusion of volatile PFAS may pose health risks to building occupants and should, therefore, warrant consideration during vapor intrusion assessments at facilities where high concentrations are present in shallow soils and groundwater.

Description:

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are used in various industrial products; however, they pose serious health risks. In this study, soil, soil gas, and groundwater samples were collected at a PFAS manufacturing facility in New Jersey, USA, to determine the presence and distribution of PFASs from the soil surface to groundwater and at various distances from the presumed source. Fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs) were detected in soil (< 0.26–36.15 ng/g) and soil gas (160–12,000 E µg/m3), while perfluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCAs) were found in soil (4.3–810 ng/g), soil gas (<0.10–180 µg/m3), and groundwater (37–49 µg/L). FTOH and PFCA concentrations decreased as the distance from the presumed source increased, suggesting that PFCAs are likely to migrate in groundwater, whereas FTOHs primarily move in the vapor phase. The presence of PFAS in the groundwater, soil, and soil gas samples indicate its potential for vapor intrusion; thus, some PFAS may contribute to indoor air inhalation exposure. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the quantification of volatile PFAS in soil gas at a PFAS manufacturing facility.

URLs/Downloads:

Record Details: