Background. PFAS is a class of chemical substances that are widely used in industry and consumer products. Up to half of the total use of PFAS chemicals can be accounted for in the textile industry because their properties achieve breathability, thermal stability, and durability. PFAS is also used the aerospace, automotive, construction, and electronics industries.
During production and use, PFAS can migrate into the soil, water, and air. Most PFAS does not break down, so it remains in the environment for a long time.
Scientific studies have shown that exposure to some PFAS in the environment may be linked to harmful health effects in humans and animals. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is working to determine how to better and more efficiently detect and measure PFAS, how much people are exposed to PFAS, how harmful it is, and how to remove, manage, and dispose of PFAS. In mid-March 2023, EPA issued a Maximum Contaminant Level, or an MCL, for six PFAS chemicals in drinking water with the MCL for two classes of PFAS – PFOA and PFOS – at 4 parts per trillion, finally providing regulatory clarity that had been lacking. EPA has also designated PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).
The United States Department of Defense (DoD) records confirm PFAS in groundwater and soil at nearly 400 bases with suspected contamination in groundwater at an additional 294 bases. Several installations record some of the highest PFAS levels ever found in water or soil (nearly exceeding 1 million parts per trillion). In July 2022, the U.S. DoD sent out a clarifying memorandum on the technical screening for PFAS using site specific regional screening levels (signed by Michael McAndrew Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Construction)
This webinar will introduce PFAS and include the following:
Registration. This is a free webinar; however, registration is required to receive log-in credentials.
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