Understanding PFAS

THIS WEEK’S CONTRIBUTOR:
Patti Toews, Sustainability and Waste Minimization Business Leader
APTIM | Environment and Sustainability
Patti.Toews@APTIM.com
Patti Toews is a provider of sustainability and waste management solutions for our local and state government clients. She focuses on new and existing regulatory challenges and issues. Learn more about Patti here.

What Are PFAS?

In case you are new to the topic, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), or “forever chemicals,” are man-made chemicals that have been used in consumer and manufactured goods worldwide since the 1940s. Do you love non-stick pans and cookware? Beware, they are coated and/or contain PFAS, so is food packaging, almost anything labeled stain resistant and/or flame retardant (i.e., fabrics, clothing, carpets, furniture, curtains, pillows, mattresses), and even several firefighting foams.

Why Are PFAS Problematic?

To understand why PFAS in the environment is a problem, we need to look at the research provided by our scientists and engineers here at APTIM, as well as other studies conducted by universities and respected research institutes. The more we learn about PFAS, also called “GenX Chemicals,” the more concerned we become. Here is what we know: PFAS are persistent, toxic, bioaccumulate, and found just about everywhere and in everything.

As our APTIM team of scientists and engineers study PFAS and work to find remediation solutions, newly released research data from multiple sources provides additional evidence about the negative side-effects of PFAS in humans. These include kidney and liver damage, decreased immune system function, interference with vaccine uptake, developmental and reproductive harm, and increased risk of asthma and cancer for those with high exposure.

Newly released reports show that PFAS are in our drinking water nationwide. Just last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed the first ever national limits to toxic, PFAS “forever chemicals” in our drinking water and other household and industrial items. If passed, the EPA would require public water systems to adhere to proposed standards, monitor PFAS, and notify the public about PFAS levels found.

Recent studies also show wastewater biosolids contain PFAS, and if said biosolids are land applied as fertilizers and/or soil amendments, these PFAS and residual contaminants could be taken up by crops. As a result, land application of biosolids with “forever chemicals” has detrimental ecological and adverse human health impacts.

How Are We Addressing PFAS?

Helping our clients measure, mitigate, and manage PFAS short and long term are core strategies employed. We are not working on this issue alone; in California, PFAS is on the legislative radar. One California State Assembly member, Diane Papan, launched a bill on Jan. 17, 2023, that may forever change how PFAS are managed in the manufacturing process and elevate PFAS awareness for women, in particular. Assembly Bill 246 will—beginning Jan. 1, 2025, if signed into law—prohibit the manufacture, distribution, or sale in the state of California any menstrual products that contain regulated PFAS.

This groundbreaking bill has sent shockwaves through the state because rarely does the legislature regulate menstrual products, and few were aware that these products contained PFAS in the first place. Based on our current understanding of PFAS, they pose increased health risks for women with periods, given these products are used in close proximity to skin tissue that can more readily absorb chemicals. Your APTIM regulatory team is watching this bill and ready to provide client updates as it and other regulations move through the system toward the governor’s desk.

Working Around the Clock to Find Solutions

APTIM’s scientists and engineers are working hard to improve our understanding and safe management of PFAS in the environment. Their extraordinary work will undoubtedly increase PFAS awareness and help millions of people globally battle these substances. If you have PFAS question, we are here to help. Are you struggling to educate the public, manage, and mitigate PFAS? We are here to do the necessary heavy lifting and provide support.