Name
National collaborative United States project evaluating indirect exposure to PFAS from land application of biosolids
Description
National concern over indirect exposure to PFAS from land application of biosolids has led to a ban of land application in multiple states. Our project involves the evaluation of indirect exposure from two indirect exposures to determine whether or not land application is a significant source of PFAS exposure. Phase 1 of the project evaluated the potential for groundwater contamination following leaching of PFAS through soil and vadose zone. Ingestion of contaminated groundwater as a a potable drinking source would be one route of indirect exposure. Phase 2 evaluates uptake of PFAS by crops grown on land application sites. Ingestion of these foodstuffs would be another indirect route of exposure. Together PHASE 1and 2 have stablished a national network of land application sites where soil PFAS concentrations are known. By growing crops on these sites we have established a national network of crop uptake data. Together the paired data sets of soil and plant PFAS concentrations provide an evaluation of indirect exposure. These data are can be used by state legislators as they discuss whether or not to ban land application of biosolids.
Authors
Ian Pepper, S.M. Prasek and M.L. Brusseau, University of Arizona, USA