NYSDEC Releases Guidelines for Sampling and Analysis of PFAS
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) Division of Environmental Remediation (DER) has published guidance for sampling and analysis of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), at sites being addressed under remedial programs implemented under 6 NYCRR Part 375, which includes the State Superfund and Brownfield programs. This group of synthetic chemicals are used in, among other things, soil and water-resistant coatings for clothing, and fire-fighting foams, and can be found in many household products, including non-stick cookware, personal care products, and paints, varnishes, and sealants. New York State-required sampling of environmental media (mostly groundwater and soil) has shown detectable concentrations of these compounds in many areas of the state. One of the concerns regarding these chemicals is that they are not easily broken down, so are persistent in the environment, including sources of drinking water.
The NYSDEC guidance includes a list of 21 PFAS compounds that will need to be analyzed, as well as sampling and decontamination procedures (with allowable and prohibited equipment), and analytical methods and protocols to be used for PFAS sampling in various environmental media, including imported soil to be used as a soil cap, soil cover, or backfill. While there are currently no New York State standards for PFAS in soil or groundwater, the NYSDEC will review site-specific soil and groundwater data to determine whether PFAS levels warrant remediation. For imported soil, if either of two specific PFAS compounds is detected above 1 microgram per kilogram (or 1 part per billion), the soil must be tested to determine whether these compounds will leach from the soil at a level above 10 nanograms per liter (or 10 parts per trillion); if so, then that soil cannot be used at your site.
Please contact Kenneth Wenz, Senior Project Manager in our HazMat division, for more information on this issue and how it might impact your project.
Athenica News:
We wanted to give a warm welcome to Justin Gugger and Marissa Palmer, our two newest additions to the Athenica team! Justin Gugger recently graduated from the University of Delaware with a B.S. in environmental science and joined Athenica in October. He is working in our Hazmat division and getting trained in a variety of tasks including CAMP, collection of groundwater and soil vapor samples and assisting in the preparation of Phase I ESAs. Marissa Palmer is a recent graduate of the University of Virginia with a BS in environmental science and just recently joined Athenica. She has been tasked to assist the Lead Department with the data collection, evaluation of site findings, report preparation and invoicing, along with the scheduling of the field personnel and is learning all about lead based paint.
