U.S. Federal Aviation Administration Releases Transition Plan for Milspec F3
On May 8, 2023, the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released an Aircraft Firefighting Foam Transition Plan in response to Congress’ December 2022 formal direction to ensure an orderly transition from PFAS-containing aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF) to fluorine-free foam (F3). The FAA previously published a military specification (Milspec) for F3 on January 6, 2023. Currently, there are no Milspec F3 qualified products available for purchase; however, the Navy is required to have Milspec F3 products available for use no later than October 1, 2023. Once Milspec F3 products are available for use, civil airports can begin their transition to F3 foams. A transition may be required by state laws or emerging Federal requirements. FAA’s Transition Plan describes policy and guidance related to F3 transition, provides information related to Milspec F3 use and decontaminating AFFF equipment, and describes elements to consider in planning for MilSpec F3 transition.
Canada Releases Draft PFAS Reports
On May 19, 2023, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) released a draft State of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) report which provides a qualitative assessment of the fate, sources, occurrence, and potential impacts of PFAS on the environment and human health in Canada. The State of PFAS Report also proposes that all PFAS meet some of the criteria for regulation under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. ECCC also released an Ecological State of Science report summarizing published ecological data for select PFAS subgroups related to environmental persistence, mobility, bioaccumulation, and trophic magnification potential, as well as Canadian occurrence data.
Australia and New Zealand Revise Aquatic Life Criteria for PFOS
On May 17, 2023, the governments of Australia and New Zealand released revised draft default guideline values (DVGs) for PFOS to protect aquatic life in freshwater ecosystems. The draft DVGs are based on species sensitivity distributions and were developed to protect 99%, 95%, 90% and 80% of all freshwater aquatic life species.
The lowest of these criteria (the 99% protection value) is 40 times higher than the previous 99% guideline value of 0.23 nanograms per liter (ng/L) but remains the lowest freshwater aquatic life guideline value promulgated by an agency world-wide. Public comments are accepted until August 17, 2023.
Michigan Publishes a Study on PFAS Background Concentrations in Forest Soils
In April 2023, the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team (MPART) published results of a statewide effort that began in 2019 to assess PFAS concentrations in surface soils collected in forested areas. Using incremental sampling methodology, one composite sample was collected from each of Michigan’s 83 counties and analyzed for 28 PFAS. At least one PFAS was detected in all but one sample, with total PFAS concentrations ranging from non-detect to 2 micrograms per kilogram (µg/kg). PFOS was detected at the highest concentration (up to 0.88 µg/kg), followed by PFBA (up to 0.69 µg/kg) and PFOA (up to 0.36 µg/kg). The highest total PFAS concentrations in soil were observed throughout the southern half of the state, which is more industrial. The report stated that it is unclear whether the PFAS observed in forested soils are from nearby sources or were deposited after atmospheric transport. PFAS concentrations are consistent with detections in soils around the world, documented by other researchers, and are consistent with our collective understanding of global and regional ambient concentrations of PFAS.
PFAS Detected in Commonly Used Pesticides
On May 2, 2023, the Center for Biological Diversity published analytical results for PFAS present in commonly used pesticides. PFAS were detected in 3 of 7 pesticides tested, including the insecticides Intrepid 2F, Malathion 5EC, and Oberon 2 SC. Malathion 5EC contained approximately 510 ng/L PFOA and 680 ng/L PFHpS. Intrepid 2F and Oberon pesticides contained approximately 350 ng/L and 1500 ng/L PFBS, respectively. Results highlight the potential for unintentional PFAS use and release, including potential aquatic contamination with PFAS from agricultural runoff. Results were submitted to EPA and the California Department of Pesticide Regulation with a request to temporarily remove the products from use. No PFAS were detected in other products tested.
Sociodemographic Factors are Associated with PFAS Sources and Detections in U.S. Community Water Systems
A recent study published in Environmental Science and Technology evaluated associations between PFAS sources, PFAS detections in drinking water, and county-level sociodemographic factors. Analysis of monitoring data from 7,873 community water systems (CWS) in 18 states indicated that populations with higher proportions of Hispanic/Latino and non-Hispanic Black residents were more likely to have an increased number of PFAS sources in the CWS watershed and a significantly increased likelihood of PFAS detections in drinking water. The study considered multiple PFAS sources including airports, industrial facilities, wastewater treatment plants, municipal solid waste landfills, and military sites. Each additional airport, industrial facility, or military site in a CWS watershed was associated with a 10−108% increase in PFOA and a 20−34% increase in PFOS in drinking water. Based on these results, the authors stated that environmental justice should be a factor in risk mitigation efforts for PFAS-impacted drinking water.
Draft PFAS Prevention Model Act Prepared by NEWMOA
On May 2, 2023, the Northeast Waste Management Officials’ Association (NEWMOA) released a draft PFAS Model Prevention Act, a model legislation to help achieve NEWMOA’s overarching goal of eliminating environmental releases of PFAS. The model provides jurisdictions with a comprehensive framework to develop more consistent approaches to reducing the use of PFAS and PFAS-containing products. The model legislation included language stating that, two years after the effective date of the Act, no PFAS-added products would be offered for final sale, use, or distribution without prior written notification by the manufacturer to the relevant agency. Three years after the effective date of the Act, no product with added PFAS would be offered for final sale, use, or distribution unless the relevant agency had determined that PFAS addition was currently unavoidable. An additional section in the model legislation provided an option for producer responsibility for the sale of PFAS-added products with an approved plan for the “convenient and accessible collection system for such products when the consumer is finished with them”.
Geosyntec’s Technical Webinar Series Features PFAS Topics in June and August
Please join us for two Geosyntec technical webinars on June 13 and August 8 highlighting the following important PFAS topics:
- More Data May Not Mean More Answers: How the Recent Explosion of PFAS Data May Not Be What it is Cracked Up To Be, presented by Thomas Wanzek, Ph.D. (Geosyntec Consultants) and Adam Baas (DLA Piper) on Tuesday June 13 at 9 am PT/12 pm ET
- PFAS Sampling and Analysis: A Closer Look at Data Defensibility, Best Practices, and Interpretation of Results, presented by Jennifer Field, Ph.D. (Oregon State University) and Dylan Eberle, Ph.D. (Geosyntec Consultants) on Tuesday August 8 at 9 am PT/12 pm ET
Register for these free technical webinars here!
