Measurements
What units are used to measure this contaminant in drinking water?
Mass(micrograms, milligrams) per volume (liters, L, I) or parts per million/billion
What are the solutions for getting PFOA out of drinking water?
GAC (Granular Activated Carbon), Nanofiltration(NF) and reverse osmosis(RO)
What is PFOA?
Perfluorooctanoic Acid, a man-made forever chemical.
Why do CEE Engineers need these measurements?
To figure out solutions to remove and dispose PFOA and protect public health.
Are the companies that use PFOA being held accountable?
No, they are not required to limit the use of PFOA
How many methods are there to detect PFAS chemicals?
Three methods, 533, 537.1, and 540
What are challenges with using GAC treatment?
Costly treatment and low rates of removal in a larger scale.
Why is PFOA a concern?
They are considered "forever chemicals" and they have been found at low levels in the blood of people worldwide
What number of public water systems are taking action to reduce PFOA in drinking water?
6% to 10% of the 66,000 public water systems
What are the long term effects?
Cancer
What is the method used to detect PFOA?
Method 537.1 - Solid Phase extraction and Liquid Chromatography/ Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) at low ng/L concentrations
What is the estimated price of GAC treatment?
$682,000 per 2 mega gallons per day to 3,900,000 per 20mg/day
How does PFOA contaminate drinking water?
Through non-stick pans, cleaning products, personal care items(shampoo, dental floss, etc.), cosmetics, and certain fire fighting foam.
What's the biggest challenge for engineering when it comes to removing PFOA from drinking water?
The actually disposal of PFOA contaminating other places since the chemicals takes "forever" to break down.
What is one thing researchers are still struggling with?
Replicating results found in research labs to a field application.
Why would you need to make this measurement?
With the rapidly increasing PFOA levels in drinking water, measuring these levels is essential due to the significant health risks associated with exposure to PFOAs
By what percentage did PFOA levels increase in drinking water between 2018 and 2019, highlighting the urgency for better filtration solutions?
18.8%
How much PFOA is allowed in drinking water?
0.004 parts per trillion
When were regulations PFOA enforced?
April 2024!
Are PFOA still made in the United States?
No, the majority of these chemicals have been phased out by many companies.
What are some of the drawbacks of Method 537.1?
Since PFOA is dangerous at such small amounts, it is hard to measure accurately.
What is one way you can help address the issue of PFOA in drinking water?
By educating the public about what PFOA is and how it is a risk. This can be done through educational campaigns, public events, educational institutions, activism, etc.
What are some health risks associated with PFOA in drinking water? List at least three.
Some health risks are cancer, liver damage, thyroid function, reproductive problems, and developmental problems.
What role do engineers play in designing and implementing PFOA removal systems?
Engineers are responsible for designing, testing, and optimizing water treatment systems to ensure they effectively remove PFOA
How much funding did the EPA recently allocate to assist in testing and treating PFAS contamination in drinking water?
$1 billion