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Updates on Analytical Techniques and

Trending Issues for Emerging

Contaminants of Concern

GEL Laboratories, LLC

GEL Engineering of NC, Inc.

February 20, 2020

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Topics

• The GEL Group

• PFAS Overview and Analytical Methods❖ Uses

❖ Contamination Sources

❖ Transport

❖ Regulatory

❖ Analytical Methods

❖ Next Steps

• Field Assessments and Procedures

• Regulatory/Guidance Updates

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GEL Engineering

▪ Permitting & Compliance

▪ Environmental Due Diligence

▪ Civil Engineering & Survey

▪ Waste Expertise

▪ Air Emissions Testing

▪ Industrial Hygiene

Charleston Columbia Greenville Raleigh Asheville

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=tlp8NMxtZXlieM&tbnid=P0we0pX36y9eRM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://omiusajpic.org/2013/04/25/dupont-ebay-asked-to-report-on-lobbying-expenditures-and-activities/&ei=jiN4Uv_wAvHgsASS14D4Aw&bvm=bv.55819444,d.cWc&psig=AFQjCNGJ_pVeNNMGImoiNglN9dBcl16XXQ&ust=1383691529371878https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=atJPfv21E2_KdM&tbnid=x11Bt6TXwdfi6M:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=https://columbiascegseminar.eventbrite.com/&ei=GCJ4UtqYAcrgsAT2mILwBA&bvm=bv.55819444,d.cWc&psig=AFQjCNFMV0T9d-65L5Qocv9XCpxj67TIDA&ust=1383691154679930http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=EcHdOzu3pqFQ7M&tbnid=0V2Ojm4sLP8cAM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://www.fox8live.com/story/19868232/nucor-to-begin-hiring-for-st-james-plant&ei=MiN4UsmqMfPSsATWxoHoAw&bvm=bv.55819444,d.cWc&psig=AFQjCNEvzDqn6SDdmO6_xE_FbZXQczkOyQ&ust=1383691434638873http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=LJYGpbw6dnrhcM&tbnid=47nYOVHeW2IwPM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://www.aerospacecomponents.org/member-profiles.html&ei=Uvd4UpbiG-XdsATLuIDoBw&bvm=bv.55980276,d.cWc&psig=AFQjCNEn2MfDMh6kPi3b6iktDhJlFfPM-Q&ust=1383745718188951http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=Buuw28SNb4McPM&tbnid=Gp-cgq5cDOglqM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://www.aiccse.org/newsletters/july-13-2011&ei=Xfh4UqiiNZOwsQTvz4BI&bvm=bv.55980276,d.cWc&psig=AFQjCNHoJRJlZtNDGRNx5laYMKkshjMJZg&ust=1383745936534076

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GEL Solutions

▪ Subsurface Utility Engineering

▪ Surveying

▪ Geophysical Services

▪ CCTV

Charleston Raleigh Charlotte Asheville Greensboro Marietta Jacksonville

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GEL Laboratories, LLC

Laboratory

Service Center -

Hanford

• Department of Energy

• Department of Defense

• Nuclear Power

• Waste Treatment

• State and Federal Compliance

• Radiobioassay

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Why are We Here?

(Preston Howard, 01/10/19)

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Per - (Poly) Fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

• Human-made compounds

• One of the strongest chemical bonds in nature C-F

• Bioaccumulate – adhere to protein

• High stability in acids, bases, oxidants, heat

• High solubility

• Used in many applications

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Non-stick

Coatings

Electroplating Carpet and

fabric

protector

Aqueous

Film

Forming

Foam

Cosmetics

and

Personal

Care

Food Packaging

Drilling & Mining

Hydraulic Fluids

Outdoor

Gear

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Sources of Contamination

Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF)

Developed in the 1960’s by 3M for the U.S. Navy

• Primarily used on fuel-based fires

• Fire suppression systems

• Emergency response

• Fire fighting training

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Sources of Contamination

• Landfill Leachates

• Wastewater

• Biosolids

• Stack emissions

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Regulatory Health Advisory Levels

The most prominently studied compounds:

PFOS –3M : Scotchgard ™ and AFFF

PFOA – Dupont : Surfactant in the manufacture of fluoropolymers

• Inconsistent Health Advisory Limits in the U.S.

• EPA 70 ng/L each for PFOA and PFOS

• State limit and guidance under ongoing development

• Waste Limit Criteria has not been established in U.S.

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Analytical Methods

• EPA Method 537 Rev. 1 (2018) - prescriptive analyte list

• EPA Method 533 (2018) – prescriptive analyte list

• SW-846 8327 method for soils, liquids, and waste material

LC/MS/MS with method of sample preparation, instrument

calibration and process control. Not accepted for DoD or DOE

validated data (considered a screening method).

• DoD QSM Table B-15 – Isotope Dilution – Multiple

matrices, restrictive quality parameters.

• SW-846 draft Method 8328 – Isotope Dilution

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Analytical Methods – Non-Drinking Water

EPA Method 537 “Modified”

• Ground Water, Wastewater, Soils, Tissue, AFFF

Formulations

• AB SCIEX Triple Quad 5500 LC/MS/MS System

• Lower limits of detection and quantitation

• >40 Compounds including GenX

• Isotope Dilution

• SPE for Liquid Samples

• Additional process control requirements

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What’s next…

ITRC (Interstate Technology Regulatory Council)

• Environmental Regulators, Agency Representatives, Industry

Experts, Community Stakeholders, and Academia

• PFAS Fact Sheets - Published Spring 2018

• Training Workshops –Federal, State, and non-profit agencies

• PFAS Technical and Regulatory Guidance document – 2020

• https://www.itrcweb.org/

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Environmental Fate and Transport

Source: ITRC Fact Sheet: Environmental Fate and Transport for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (3/16/18)

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Site Characterization – A Few Considerations

• Sorption to soil

• PFAS partition to interfaces (air-water, soil-water, NAPL-water)

• High transport potential in groundwater

• Polyfluorinated PFAS are “precursors” that transform to more

stable perfluorinated PFAS in oxidizing conditions

• Off-site occurrences

• Air emission and deposition

• POTW effluent discharge and sludge/biosolids applications

• Remedial action waste “redistribution” to landfills, etc.

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General Sampling Protocol – Do’s and Don’ts

Avoid:• Teflon and other fluropolymer equipment/supplies (unless tested)

• Gore-Tex, water resistant, or stain-treated clothing

• Tyvek, Nomex and Viton PPE

• Decon 90 (a fluoro-surfactant soap)

• Non-verified sunblock and insect repellents

• Cosmetics, moisturizers, hand creams

• Food and drink packaging, aluminum foil

• Self-sticking notes

• Waterproof paper, notebooks and labels

• Reusable chemical or gel ice packs

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General Sampling Protocol – Do’s and Don’ts

• Recommended/Preferred:

• HDPE, polypropylene, silicone, acetate supplies

• Synthetic or natural fiber clothing, 6x washed w/o fabric softener

• Powderless nitrile gloves

• Tested and approved sunblock, insect repellents, cosmetics

• Alconox, Liquinox

• Water ice in double LDPE bags

• Field Equipment Blanks!

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General Sampling Protocol – Do’s and Don’ts

Source: Michigan DEQ PFAS Sampling Guidance (10/16/18)

Document

Products

Used:

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General Sampling Protocol

Field Equipment Blanks

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Recent Nationwide PFAS Assessments

Source: Environmental Working Group

(January 2020)

https://www.ewg.org/interactive-maps/2019_pfas_contamination/map/?_ga=2.161962613.891445333.1581949101-811220666.1579874981

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EWG Found PFAS in 31 States and D.C. Tap Water

Source: Environmental Working Group (January 2020)

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Recent Tabulation –

State Drinking Water

Limits/Guidance

From: Strategy to Assess the Impacts of Per-

and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance on Drinking Water

in South Carolina (SCDHEC, January 30, 2020)

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EPA Interim Guidance for Addressing PFOS/PFOA

Groundwater Contamination (December 2019)

• Applies to sites being evaluated under federal cleanup programs

(CERCLA or RCRA Corrective Actions).

• Recommended groundwater screening levels of 40 ng/L for

PFOA or PFOS, individually.

• Recommended Preliminary Remediation Goal for PFOA and

PFOS (combined or individual) in groundwater of 70 ng/L, if no

state or tribal Maximum Contaminant Levels exist.

• If current drinking water source, EPA expects the remediating

party to address PFOA and/or PFOS > 70 ng/L.

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National Defense Authorization Act (Dec. 2019)

• Military is prohibited from using PFAS firefighting foams after

10/1/2024 (exceptions: use on ships, emergency responses,

limited testing/training circumstances).

• Incineration must occur at proper facilities in accordance with the

Clean Air Act.

• Requires military firefighters blood testing.

• DOD to temporarily supply water to agricultural users whose

irrigation is contaminated with PFAS from military installations.

• (continued)

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National Defense Authorization Act (Dec. 2019)

(continued)

• At a governor’s request, DOD is required to “work expeditiously”

on agreement to address PFAS contamination in drinking and

surface water or groundwater from DOD activities.

• Bans PFAS in military food packaging

• Toxic Substances Control Act

• Adds 160 PFAS substances to Toxic Release Inventory

(EPCRA)

• TRI manufacturing/processing reporting thresholds of 100 lbs

each of listed PFAS

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“Improve the Quality of Life of this and future generations by helping people Protect and be Good

Stewards of our Environment and Natural Resources.”

GEL’s Core Purpose:

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Contacts

Bob Pullano, Director, Quality Systems

Bob.Pullano@gel.com

Andrew Stahl, L.G., Senior Hydrogeologist

Andrew.Stahl@gel.com

Reggie Reeves, PM, Environmental Scientist

Reggie.Reeves@gel.com

mailto:Bob.Pullano@gel.commailto:Andrew.Stahl@gel.commailto:Reggie.Reeves@gel.com