A Surveillance Study: Per-and polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Biosolids

A Surveillance Study: Per-and polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in BiosolidsAbstractThis surveillance study was aimed at understanding concentrations of PFAS in biosolids. To address this objective, samples were collected from of twenty-five wastewater resource recovery facilities (WRRFs) throughout North America over a six-month period. A minimum of two samples were collected from each WRRF: Location A – sludge entering the stabilization process, and Location B – biosolids (post-stabilization sludge). Modified EPA Method 537.1 was used to analyze 40 PFAS compounds in these samples by Eurofins Laboratories. Only 20% of the measured PFAS compounds were detected in the biosolids samples. Three major solid stabilization methods were evaluated, anaerobic digestion, incineration, and chemical stabilization. Anaerobic digestion and chemical stabilization indicated increases in PFAS in Location B in comparison to Location A, except for in the case of incineration, where ash samples (Location B) did not contain any of the measured PFAS compounds above the method detection limit.Per-and polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are being extensively studied in all the matrices due to their ubiquitous presence in the environment and negative human health impacts. This study conducted a survey of twenty-five wastewater resource recovery facilities (WRRF) throughout North America over a six-month period to evaluate for PFAS other emerging contaminants in biosolids. Among the 40 PFAS compounds evaluated, only 20% were detected in biosolid samples. Concentrations of the detected PFASpeakerOza, ShubhashiniPresentation time13:30:0013:55:00Session time13:30:0015:00:00SessionUnderstanding and Addressing PFAS in BiosolidsSession locationRoom N426b - Level 4TopicMunicipal Wastewater Treatment Design, PFASTopicMunicipal Wastewater Treatment Design, PFASAuthor(s)Oza, ShubhashiniAuthor(s)S. Oza ¹; S. Estahbanati ² ; J. Norton ³; N. Hontoria ⁴; X. Fonoll Almansa ⁵; M. Khan ⁶; C. Muller ⁷; K. Bell ⁸; J. Hatfield ⁴; S. Oza ¹;Author affiliation(s)Brown & Caldwell ¹; Brown & Caldwell ² ; Great Lake Water Authority ³; Brown & Caldwell ⁴; Great Lake Water Authority ⁵; Great Lake Water Authority ⁶; Brown & Caldwell ⁷; Brown & Caldwell ⁸; Brown & Caldwell ⁴; Brown & Caldwell ¹;SourceProceedings of the Water Environment FederationDocument typeConference PaperPublisherWater Environment FederationPrint publication date Oct 2023DOI10.2175/193864718825159011Volume / Issue Content sourceWEFTECCopyright2023Word count10