Air
Toward an Improved Understanding of Airborne Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS): Advancing Measurements of Air Concentrations and Emissions and Application to a North Carolina Occupational Setting
Dr. Barbara Turpin
This proposal aims to address knowledge gaps surrounding air emission rates from PFAS containing products and their dependence on environmental conditions, improve PFAS air sampling capacity, and increase knowledge on indoor air concentrations.
The goals of this project are to
- measure PFAS air emissions from firefighting turnout gear and PFAS-containing textiles at ambient and elevated temperatures
- improve integrated sampling methods for ionic PFAS in air and
- use the improved methods to measure PFAS in the North Carolina State University (NCSU) textile manufacturing facility in collaboration with Drs. Surratt (UNC-Chapel Hill) and Ormond (NCSU).
Benefit to North Carolina
The findings from this project will improve understanding of the emission rates of PFAS from PFAS-containing products, specifically in firefighting turnout gear and other textiles that contain high levels of PFAS. This data will help mitigate PFAS exposure in North Carolina residences, workplaces, and vehicles for textile workers, firefighters and their families.
Improved Online Quantification of Airborne PFAS in NC by a Field-Deployable GC-CIMS Method
Dr. Jason Surratt
In this proposal, Dr. Surratt’s team aims to develop a new airborne PFAS testing method (GC-CIMS) to expand their capabilities in measuring airborne PFAS concentration dynamics and resolve unique PFAS linked to specific sources. The new GC-CIMS method (in collaboration with Aerodyne, Inc.) will systematically examine atmospheric PFAS transformations in the lab and measure airborne PFAS emissions from inside NCSU’s textile manufacturing plant in collaboration with Drs. Turpin (UNC-Chapel Hill) and Ormond (NCSU).
Benefit to North Carolina
The methods developed in this project could help aid NC regulatory agencies in identifying specific point sources, fugitive emissions, and atmospheric transformations of PFAS- critical information for developing effective mitigation strategies.
Development of a Forensic Model to Trace PFAS in Atmospheric Deposition
Dr. Ralph Mead, Dr. Chad Lane, Dr. Paul Wojtal, and Justin Parker
The focus of this research is to develop a PFAS forensic model that will be used to understand the sources and transformations of PFAS in the atmosphere.
Dr. Ralph Mead and Dr. Chad Lane plan to
- collect wet and dry deposition from several locations across the state in partnership with state and academic researchers
- analyze the samples via targeted, nontargeted and absorbable organic fluorine to provide a comprehensive view of PFAS in wet and dry deposition and
- in tandem, determine the stable isotope composition of PFAS in the same samples.
With this powerful dataset and the authentic PFAS stable isotopic library, a forensic model will be developed and applied to identify sources and transformation pathways of PFAS in the atmospheric deposition.
Benefit to the people of North Carolina
The development of a forensic model will aid regulators in addressing PFAS occurrence and transport within North Carolina by pinpointing new and existing areas of pollution. In turn, this will reduce the environmental discharge of PFAS to the environment, protecting the people and environment of North Carolina.