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PFAS accumulate in plant and animal tissues just as they do in humans. When people consume products with high levels of PFAS, it can elevate PFAS in their system. Milk and fish are two products of increasing concern for states and Tribal lands. While the EPA continues to research the problem, Pace® is already working with clients to assess PFAS contamination in plant and animal tissues at a local level.
Many municipalities get their drinking water from underground aquifers or from surface waters, such as rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. When these waters become contaminated with PFAS through run off or direct wastewater discharge, PFAS can contaminate public and private drinking water systems. Pace® offers several testing services that can analyze PFAS in non-potable waters to support remediation and control efforts by local municipalities and industry.
When a liquid (rain, condensation, liquid waste) passes through solid waste, the liquid byproduct is called “leachate.” If liquid passes through and from waste that contains PFAS, it’s likely that the leachate will too. Industrial landfill is a particular problem because older landfill sites don’t often have leachate collection systems. But municipal landfill can create issues too when contaminated leachate is sent to the local wastewater treatment plant.
Traditional wastewater treatment does not remove PFAS, and it can convert PFAS precursors into terminal PFAS. The EPA has announced plans to introduce new rulings to research and control PFAS through the Effluent Limitations Guidelines (ELG) program and National Pollution Discharge Elimination Systems (NPDES) permitting.
According to the EPA, roughly 60% of wastewater sludge is land-applied to agriculture. Since traditional wastewater treatment doesn’t remove PFAS, these biosolids can introduce PFAS into the ecosystem. Some states have begun to restrict the practice of using biosolids as fertilizer, while the EPA expects to complete its risk assessment in late 2024.
We’re certified/accredited by NELAC, ISO, DOD, DOE, and in every state with a PFAS lab certification program.
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We can test for PFAS in both solid and aqueous matrices, including potable and non-potable waters, soils, and biota.
We’re on the leading edge of science, working with EPA, DOD, ASTM, and others to develop new methods for analyzing PFAS.