USEPA and Army Announce Joint Project to Identify PFAS Contamination Near Army Installations
On July 26, 2024, United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the U.S. Army (Army) announced a joint project to collect drinking water samples from private wells located near Army installations for the presence of PFAS. From 2017 to 2023, the Army’s comprehensive PFAS program identified potential PFAS releases at Army installations. The joint project determined a priority list of nine Army installations out of 235 locations to sample as follows:
- Fort Novosel (Alabama)
- Fort Hunter Liggett – Parks Reserve Forces Training Area (California)
- Fort Stewart (Georgia)
- Fort Stewart – Hunter Army Airfield (Georgia)
- Blue Grass Army Depot (Kentucky)
- Fort Campbell (Kentucky & Tennessee)
- Fort Liberty (North Carolina)
- Fort Sill (Oklahoma)
- McAlester Army Ammunition Plant (Oklahoma)
USEPA and Army will identify whether additional installations should be added to the project’s future expansion after initial sampling. If sample results show PFAS are present in drinking water above maximum contaminant levels, the Army will work with USEPA and state regulators to determine what steps should be taken to mitigate exposure.
USEPA Updates PFAS Air Emission Analytical Method
In July 2024, USEPA updated Other Test Method (OTM)-45 for measurement of PFAS in emission streams from point sources. The initial version of OTM-45 was published in January 2021. Revisions include increasing the number of pre-sampling standards used, updating the target analytes and pre-extraction isotopically labeled standards to be more consistent with USEPA Method 1633, and removing the requirement for a field train blank. Additionally, the sample extraction procedure has been updated and further guidance has been provided regarding use of components containing polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). A limit has also been set on sample transfer line, probe, and filter box temperatures during sampling to prevent decarboxylation of hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA), commonly known as GenX, during sampling. USEPA has also published a Frequently Asked Questions document regarding the updates to OTM-45.
Transportation Research Board Releases Guidance on PFAS Management at Airports
On July 15, 2024, the Transportation Research Board (TRB) released guidance for managing PFAS use for firefighting at U.S. airports. TRB is a division of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Their mission is to “provide leadership in transportation improvements and innovation through research, information exchange, and advice regarding all modes of transportation.” The goal of this guide is to provide airport managers with current information and management strategies to manage, control, remediate, and dispose of affected media and aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) in accordance with regulatory standards. Four appendices accompany the guidance document and provide tools and resources on the following topics:
- Assessing Current and Historical Product Uses and Activities
- Policies, Procedures, and Operations
- Regulatory Action, Financial Planning, and Remediation
- Communication and Public Engagement
TRB surveyed aviation industry professionals to compile relevant guidance and toolkits based on handling practices currently used at airports.
Alaska to Ban AFFF
On July 22, 2024, Alaska Senate Bill 67 was automatically enacted after Governor Mike Dunleavy did not take action on the bill within the allowed 22-day period. The bill amends Alaska Statute AS 46.03 and requires the following:
- Establishment of a firefighting substances disposal reimbursement program. The disposal reimbursement program aims to provide disposal reimbursements to small communities (less than 2,000 persons) and any Alaskan resident who received a firefighting substance containing PFAS from a partially state-funded fire safety project.
- A ban on the use of PFAS-containing firefighting foams. Exceptions include use in oil or gas production, transmission, transportation, or refining, up until a state fire marshal determines an alternative firefighting substance that is safe and effective.
Regulations defined in Senate Bill 67 will take effect on January 1, 2025.
Massachusetts to Reduce PFAS in Firefighter PPE
On August 15, 2024, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signed into law Senate Bill 2902 to reduce PFAS in firefighter personal protective equipment (PPE). The bill will take effect in two phases, as follows:
- January 1, 2025: Any manufacturer or a person selling firefighting PPE containing PFAS will need to provide a written notice to the purchaser stating that (i) the PPE contains PFAS, (ii) the reason why the PPE contains PFAS, and (iii) specific PFAS within the product.
- January 1, 2027: A manufacturer or other person selling firefighting PPE to a person, local government or state agency shall not (i) manufacture, (ii) knowingly sell/offer for sale, or (iii) distribute for sale or use any firefighting PPE containing intentionally added PFAS.
New Hampshire to Limit PFAS in Products and Increase Drinking Water Infrastructure Funding
In August 2024, New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu signed into law the following two PFAS-related bills:
- New Hampshire House Bill 1649 – Introduces a phased prohibition of intentionally added PFAS in certain products such as food packaging, cosmetics, personal protective equipment, upholstered furniture, carpets or rugs, and juvenile products.
- New Hampshire Senate Bill 393 – Designates $25 million to fund drinking water infrastructure in Derry, New Hampshire as a part of the Southern New Hampshire Regional Water Project. The goal of this project is to increase water supply in multiple towns impacted by PFAS contamination and growing water demands.
Canada PFAS Regulatory Updates
The Government of Canada recently took the following three actions on PFAS:
- An Objective for Canadian Drinking Water Quality: PFAS, which sets a maximum contaminant level goal for contaminants in drinking water, was published on August 9, 2024. The drinking water objective value is 30 ng/L for the sum of the 25 PFAS measured by USEPA Method 533. This drinking water objective value will replace the previous drinking water guidelines for PFOS and PFOA and drinking water screening values for nine other PFAS. The drinking water objective takes into consideration available treatment technologies and analytical methods.
- A Notice with Respect to Certain PFAS was released on July 27, 2024, under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, to gather toxicity information on over 300 PFAS to support potential regulation. The notice impacts persons who manufactured, imported, or used specified quantities, between 10 grams and 100 kilograms (depending on the substance group and concentrations), in the 2023 calendar year. Information such as descriptions of goods or manufactured items, concentrations, quantities, and releases of the listed PFAS must be reported online prior to January 29, 2025.
- An interim PFAS standard was issued in June 2024 for commercial biosolids imported or sold within Canada. Biosolids must contain less than 50 parts per billion of PFOS as measured by USEPA Method 1633. This interim PFAS standard will apply to municipal biosolids and other biosolids registered under the Fertilizers Act. Enforcement of the interim standard will begin October 18, 2024.
RemTEC & Emerging Contaminants Summit
The RemTEC & Emerging Contaminants Summit will take place October 15-17, 2024, in Westminster, Colorado. The Summit attracts a variety of leading experts on PFAS and other emerging contaminants who are advancing environmental science and remediation technologies. The Summit promotes discussion and exchange of ideas with academics, regulators, industry representatives, environmental consultants, and technology developers.
To register using Geosyntec’s 25% discount, go to https://na.eventscloud.com/rtecs2024 before the early bird registration cutoff on September 6. After you enter your email address, use code “GEOSvip,” choose “Attendee,” then “Continue.” The discounted rate will appear at the bottom of the next screen. For information on the Summit, please visit https://www.remediation-technology.com/.
Upcoming Geosyntec PFAS Webinar Series
Geosyntec is hosting a PFAS webinar series showcasing a thorough synthesis of the state of knowledge on the management of PFAS-impacted sites. Subject matter experts from Geosyntec and the broader stakeholder community will discuss PFAS key technical, regulatory, and legal issues.
This six-part series will run from September through December 2024. For more information and to register, visit Geosyntec PFAS Webinar Series.
Questions?
If you have any questions or would like to discuss how PFAS may impact your business, please email pfas@geosyntec.com to be connected with a PFAS technical expert.