Fluorochemicals in AFFF-contaminated sites: environmental fate, toxicity and treatment

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The use of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in decades has led to widespreadcontamination in humans, wildlife and the environment. Some PFAS are extremely persistent in theenvironment and exhibit high bioaccumulation potential and toxicity. The most severe form of this pollution isprimarily associated with the use of PFAS-based aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) for firefightingactivities, impacting groundwater, surface water, soil and sediment in several hundred federal contaminatedsites across Canada. As the state of AFFF contamination has not been specifically investigated, regulatoryframeworks for managing AFFF-contaminated sites largely do not exist. Unique physical, chemical andbiological properties of PFAS pose great challenges for addressing the issue. Regulatory bodies andenvironmental consultants are asking: what types of PFAS are present in AFFF-impacted sites and whatconcentrations pose risks to the environment? How do PFAS transport and transform under varying natural andengineered conditions and in the presence of other contaminants? What cost-effective risk migrationtechnologies can be implemented? Our research is aimed at answering these questions through detailedcharacterization of field contaminated samples, laboratory studies on the environmental fate and behaviours ofPFAS in soil and groundwater systems, evaluating bioaccumulation potential of major PFAS, and developingan innovative nanotechnology-based remediation approach for PFAS removal. The research will be conductedby a group of internationally recognized researchers with complementary expertise in environmentalengineering, chemistry and microbiology, and ecotoxicology. Results from our research will helpenvironmental regulators and risk assessment experts develop policies, regulations or guidelines on AFFF use,disposal, risk assessment and remediation. The proposed research has important economic benefits to Canadaby optimizing resources to reach risk mitigation goals cost-effectively and by enhancing technical expertise inthe private sector in the area of environmental risk assessment and remediation.