CEM - Abstract

Abstract Information :

Air emissions of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from a variety of sources is now recognized as a significant route for PFAS releases to the environment. PFAS emissions sources include industrial – chemical manufacturing, including fluoropolymers, as well as chemical application and treatment. Moreover, the emissions from the incineration and combustion of PFAS containing compounds, including the formation of Products of Incomplete Combustion/Destruction (PICs/PIDs), is receiving increased attention. Reliable and accepted emissions measurement methods are needed to enable the targeted measurements necessary to characterize these sources, but also identify unknown PFAS compounds that may be present and not targeted for measurement. PFAS compounds are present in many forms, including volatile, semivolatile, nonvolatile, polar and nonpolar forms. As a result, multiple measurement approaches are needed. To meet these needs, the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (USEPA’s) Office of Research and Development (ORD) and Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS) are collaborating to develop and make available the necessary PFAS emissions measurement methods. This presentation will discuss the status of PFAS emission measurement approaches and methods currently being developed by EPA. This includes Other Test Method 45 (OTM-45), formally posted in 2021, for polar semivolatile and nonvolatile PFAS compounds, OTM-50, currently under development for nonpolar volatile PFAS compounds using whole air canisters, and OTM-55 for nonpolar semivolatile and nonvolatile PFAS compounds, including fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs) and PICs/PIDs.