PFAS Sampling & Analysis
On October 18, 2021, Public Law 2021, Chapter 478, An Act To Investigate Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Contamination of Land and Groundwater, became effective based on recommendations by Maine’s PFAS Task Force. This law is one of many similar state legislation bills across the country aimed at identifying the sources of PFAS contamination and exposure pathways that pose the greatest risk to human health. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has additionally established a Council on PFAS, which has established a timeline of 2021 to 2024 to take specific actions and commit to new policies to protect human health and the environment. Haley Ward continues to remain informed of this changing PFAS legislature and can help clients navigate this landscape.
WHAT ARE PFAS?
In general, PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals found in:
- Commonly used consumer products (e.g., food packaging and stain repellents)
- Industrial chemicals (e.g., firefighting foam and commercial waxes/polishes)
- Industrial waste and wastewater treatment byproducts (e.g., short paper fiber and biosolids)
These chemicals have been extensively researched and have been widely found in the agricultural, wastewater treatment, landfill, and stormwater systems throughout the United States and abroad. They enter the environment through air emissions, stormwater runoff, direct application to soils, septic systems, and impacted soil leaching to groundwater.
HOW CAN WE HELP?
Haley Ward has experience dealing with this “emerging” contaminant and are assisting clients in several states with their site characterization requirements and determining reasonable paths forward that meet both State and Federal regulatory guidelines.
SERVICES WE OFFER
- Managing correspondence with Regulatory agencies
- Development of sampling protocols and analysis plans
- Scheduling sampling and reporting
- Evaluation of potential PFAS sources and migration pathways
- Wetland Functional Assessments
Haley Ward can work with you on this new and far-reaching environmental compliance issue. If needed, we can also assist your facility with identifying potential compliance issues with other environmental regulations (e.g., chemical and/or toxic release inventory reporting, hazardous and universal waste management, waste disposal/discharges, air emissions).
