Perfluorinated Compounds (PFCs) Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) Focus On Change 2017

Transcription

1 Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) Focus On Change 2017

2 Overview Background, Health, & Environmental Concerns Status of PFC Regulation Common Uses Regulatory Information Treatment Options PFCs in Florida 2

3 Background, Health, & Environmental Concerns PFCs are a diverse group of chemicals utilized for their capacity to retard fire and repel oil, stains, and water Environmentally persistent group of organofluorine chemicals o Extremely stable and persistent due to the chemical construct of PFC compounds (carbon-fluorine = second strongest known organic bond) PFCs have served many purposes in both industrial and consumer product applications New Health Advisory levels: Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) 3

4 Background, Health, & Environmental Concerns Different types of scientists may refer to the same class of chemicals by different names, and PFCs are no exception. Commonly used terms for PFCs you might come across include: o Perfluorinated compounds o Perfluorinated chemicals o Perfluorochemicals o Perfluoroalkyls o Perfluorinated alkyl acids o Polyfluorinated chemicals o Polyfluorinated compounds o Polyfluoroalkyl substances 4

5 Background, Health, & Environmental Concerns EPA studying PFCs due to concerns of: o High potential for exposure to humans o Persistence in the environment o Observed toxicity in animal models o Insufficient information to properly assess all human health risks PFCs found in water, soil, air, food, and human blood Very soluble in aquatic systems Low-levels found in humans throughout US population o Half-life of PFCs in the human body can range from four months to over nine years 5

6 Background, Health, & Environmental Concerns Bioaccumulate and have known negative health effects in laboratory animals, such as: abnormal endocrine activity, tumors, organ damage, immune system dysfunction, and reproductive & developmental problems PFCs can enter groundwater or surface waters through wastewater effluent, application of bio solids, landfill leachate, and storm water runoff Based on persistence & composition, PFCs are difficult to remove The highest point-source concentrations of PFCs in source waters are associated with use of fire fighting foams and other industrial discharges 6

7 Fabric/Carpet Stain & Water Repellants Aqueous Fire Fighting Foams Cookware Coatings Waxes & Polishes Leather Treatment Oil & Mining Surfactants Pesticides Rubber Products Tires Cosmetics Dental Floss Common Uses Treated Upholstery Metal Plating Electronics and Computers Waterproof Fabrics Thread Sealant Tape Stone, Tile, & Wood Sealants Treated Apparel Food Containers (e.g., Popcorn Bags) Soaps & Cleaning Products Paints & Coatings Photographic Products Hydraulic Fluids 7

8 Regulatory Information In 2009, EPA had set Provisional Health Advisory Levels of 0.4 μg/l for PFOA and 0.2 μg/l for PFOS On May 19, 2016, EPA issued a combined Health Advisory Level (HAL) of μg/l for total PFOA and PFOS The HAL provides levels of PFOA/PFOS in drinking water at or below which adverse health effects are not anticipated to occur over a lifetime of exposure 2/3/2017 8

9 Regulatory Information A HAL does not establish a regulatory limit or MCL; it provides guidance to assist federal, state, and local officials in evaluating drinking water quality EPA's 2010/2015 PFOA Stewardship Program coordinated emissions reduction of PFCs with 8 large chemical companies Aimed to reduce 95% of PFOA and long-chained PFCs by 2010 and completely eliminate emission of long-chained PFCs by the end of /3/2017 9

10 Treatment Options for Removal of PFCs The removal efficiency of treatment techniques for PFCs from source waters depends on influent water characteristics including the total PFC concentration and the treatment method utilized Conventional treatment methods have proven to be unsuccessful for PFC removal Advanced treatment techniques can reduce PFC concentrations by 90% or higher 2/3/

11 Treatment Options for Removal of PFCs ACTIVATED CARBON FILTRATION o Highly effective treatment method with greater than 90% removal of PFOA and PFOS ANION EXCHANGE o Shown to remove up to 90% of some PFCs HIGH-PRESSURE MEMBRANE FILTRATION (RO and NF) o Up to 90% removal of PFOS and PFOA ADVANCED OXIDATION o Can remove 10 to 50% PFOS and less than 10% of PFOA DISSOLVED AIR FLOTATION o Up to 50% removal of some PFCs 11

12 PFCs and Florida Nationwide, EPA s Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR3) required all large PWSs and selected 800 small PWSs to monitor for PFCs ~250 PWSs in Florida monitored under UCMR3 PFOA/PFOS was detected in only 12 PWSs in Florida Only 3 PWSs in Florida had PFOA/PFOS levels above the new HAL The 3 PWSs have corrective actions underway Florida is reviewing existing data and scientific studies Point and non-point source identification Collaborating with other states and EPA Baseline monitoring 12

13 Please visit EPA s website for additional information on PFOA and PFOS, and their new Health Advisory at: 2/3/

14 Comments or Questions 2/3/