Back to Topic List

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also commonly referred to as perfluorinated chemicals or PFCs, are a group of anthropogenic chemicals with past and current uses in industrial processes and consumer products. In 2006, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classified some PFAS as likely human carcinogens. 

PFAS are used in firefighting foams, coating for food packaging, ScotchGard™, and Teflon™, among other products. PFAS are highly resistant to chemical decomposition and can enter source waters through industrial releases, wastewater treatment plant discharges, stormwater runoff, release of firefighting foams, and land application of contaminated biosolids. 

Topic Overview (PDF)
2 Projects 2 Webcasts
Compounds of Emerging Concern (CECs)
Advanced Treatment
Endocrine Disrupting Compounds, Pharmaceuticals & Personal Care Products (EDCs & PPCPs)
Microplastics
Project #4322

Treatment Mitigation Strategies for Poly- and Perfluorinated Chemicals

$306,672
Completed

Project Highlights

The first objective of this project was to conduct a literature review covering the global occurrence and treatability of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs). The second objective was to conduct a limited, strategically targeted assessment to determine the fate of these compounds...

View more details
Principal Investigator
Eric
Dickenson
Research Manager
Ms. Alice E Fulmer

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances: Background Technical Information

This state of the science document provides an overview of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, including sources, health effects, regulations, occurrence and detection methods, and treatment. It also discusses WRF's published, ongoing, and future PFAS research.

Download

Recent Updates

Project #4731
Optimizing Biofiltration and Integrating Biofiltration into...

Reporting Period: April 1, 2019 – September 30, 2019. During this period, Subtask 3.3, Biofiltration Performance...

Project Update
12/27/2019
Project #4749
Optimizing Biofiltration for Improved Manganese Control under Winter...

Reporting Period: July 1, 2019 – October 1, 2019. During this project period, analysis of full-...

Project Update
12/27/2019
Project #4616
Hospital Wastewater Practices and Contaminants of Emerging...

January 1, 2017 – July 31, 2017 - The research team continues working on the literature...

Project Update
06/09/2019
Project #3177
Occurrence, Treatment, and Evaluation of Analytical Methods for...

In Phase I (Project 3177), quantitative real-time PCR assays were developed to detect Group F ads...

Project Update
06/26/2019

News

ANDalyze

Technology Spotlight
Jason Mangler
12/06/2019

ANDalyze provides analytical instruments that enable real-time and point-of-use, near-lab-quality measurements of trace contaminants in water, using DNA-enzyme-based patented sensors, both portable and on-line.

View all Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) News

Resources

View all Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Resources

Related Projects

Project #1645

Use of Ozone in Water Reclamation for Contaminant Oxidation

Completed

Increased public awareness, potential human health effects, and demonstrated impacts on aquatic ecosystems have stimulated recent interest in pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) and endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs)...

View more details
Project #4334

Constructed Wetlands for Treatment of Organic and Engineered Nanomaterial Contaminants of Emerging Concerns

Completed

This project determined hydraulic and carbon loading rates for constructed wetlands required to achieve different levels of EDC/PPCP and engineered nanomaterial removal as a function of hydraulic loading...

View more details
Project #2790

International Collaborative Cell Culture and U/V Studies

Completed

Develops a consensus on the optimum approach to development of a cell culture technique for determination of Cryptosporidium infectivity that is suitable for routine use in disinfection studies...

View more details
Project #4874

Evaluating Fate Mechanisms for Contaminants of Concern in BNR Treatment Systems

In Progress

This study provides additional insight into the fate behavior of the target trace organic compounds (TOrC) in BNR treatment systems. The study determined first-order biotransformation rates for seven...

View more details
Project #4777

Ozone Biofiltration Direct Potable Reuse Testing at Gwinnett County

In Progress

For treatment strategies in potable reuse, there are alternatives to reverse osmosis (RO) that can achieve potable water quality in a direct potable reuse (DPR) scenario. This research...

View more details
Project #4551

Terminology for Improved Communication Regarding CECs

In Progress

This project's primary aim was to develop successful communication tools that ensure consumers can easily find and understand tailored water quality information relating to contaminants of emerging concern...

View more details

Related Topics

Link

Compounds of Emerging Concern (CECs)

Link

Advanced Treatment

Link

Endocrine Disrupting Compounds, Pharmaceuticals & Personal Care Products (EDCs & PPCPs)

Link

Microplastics

Link

Source Water Protection

Link

Groundwater Management & Protection

Like reading about Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) ?