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For state and local governments, the most common example of air emissions testing involves stack emissions from industry. Sampling stack emissions requires specialized sampling equipment to be placed inside the stack by qualified personnel and then tested using the appropriate test for the suspected contaminants.
Incineration has long-been a preferred method for disposing of industrial waste and chemical stockpiles. Unfortunately, evidence suggests that thermal techniques are not as effective as once thought at destroying PFAS. Soil, ash, groundwater, and air samples taken from incinerator sites and surrounding neighborhoods have shown elevated levels of PFAS. The EPA’s updated interim guidance on destruction and disposal of PFAS discusses various types of incinerators that have been used, but states that not enough data is available to determine their efficacy in destroying PFAS and controlling PICs (Particles of Incomplete Combustion).
As the EPA ramps up its focus on PFAS remediation though legislation such as CWA, TSCA, and CERCLA, many Pace® customers have implemented sampling programs for the matrices that can be impacted by airborne PFAS. PFAS can become airborne by numerous routes, such as waste incineration, manufacturer stack emissions, and leachate evaporation. Once PFAS is airborne, its geographical impacts can become far reaching. Air deposition of PFAS can cause a wide array of non-air matrices to be impacted. For instance, the impact zone can be greatly increased for private wells and soil once PFAS is not in a controlled environment, such as a landfill, and becomes airborne.
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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.