Air
Measurement of PFAS in multimedia from community surrounding Fayetteville
Team Member
Overview
The team will characterize the PFAS exposome in the community surrounding Fayetteville Works by quantifying targeted short chain PFAS and performing extractable organic fluorine. The results from this study will help explain the potential inhalation route of PFAS in this community.
Development and Proof of Concept of a Multidimensional Approach to Trace the Source of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances to the Atmosphere: Developing a Novel Environmental Forensics Tool
Team Members
- Ralph Mead
- Chad Lane
- Allison Dombrowski
Overview
The researchers in this proposal are focused on improving the ability to forensically assess the source, transport, and fate of PFAS. The objectives of the proposal are:
- Develop and assess the first analytical techniques to reliably measure the compound-specific stable carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions of PFAS compounds
- Determine PFAS Concentration and distinct PFAS molecular features in wet deposition
- Synthesize and develop a statistical model using the isotopic composition and molecular features to delineate specific PFAS signatures in atmospheric samples
Characterizing PFAS Exposure in NC Communities and Improving Estimates of Exposure from Indoor Air
Team Member
Overview
The focus of the research is to quantify PFAS in dust collected from households in Fayetteville, NC. Data generated from the dust analyses will be given to Dr. Jane Hoppin’s group for statistical analysis. These data will help elucidate the relative importance of PFAS exposure from the indoor environment vs drinking water. The funds will also be used to analyze PFAS in blood collected from firefighters to understand exposure. A report back template will be developed to help share data and answer any questions they may have. Lastly, funds will be used to improve our understanding of volatile PFAS emitted from the use of AFFF. We will develop a novel method that can detect all fluorinated compounds in air.
Chemical Characterization and Variability of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Indoor and Outdoor Air Environments in North Carolina
Team Members
Overview
The investigators will develop a novel, real-time continuous means to measure and quantify PFAS in the gas, both indoor and outdoors. This technique is imperative to develop because there remains uncertainty in human exposure to gas/particle phase PFAS in the indoor environment. In addition, this research will address urgent questions regarding atmospheric chemical transformations of PFAS downwind of known point sources and the atmospheric lifetime and fate of primary and secondary PFAS.