Investigating the occurence, fate, and treatment of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances

全氟和多氟烷基物质（PFAS）是一个超过7000种化合物的家族，其中许多具有极高的化学和热稳定性。它们用于各种工业和商业产品，包括消防泡沫，阻燃剂，抑雾剂，粘合剂，化妆品和表面涂料。PFAS的这些应用导致其广泛存在于土壤、地下水和地表水中，对世界各地的饮用水资源造成直接威胁。最近的一项研究估计，美国有1800万至8000万人饮用被PFAS污染的水。虽然加拿大还没有官方数据，但PFAS污染事件的记录越来越频繁。例如，在北湾（ON）和密西西比米尔斯（ON）居民的饮用水威尔斯中，以及在汉密尔顿（ON）和Lac-Mégantic（QC）的土壤、地下水、地表水和生物群中发现了PFAS。值得注意的是，仅在过去3年中，就有38个新的受PFAS污染的场地被添加到联邦污染场地清单中。由于暴露于PFAS与各种健康问题有关，包括血液胆固醇增加，肝损伤，肾癌和睾丸癌以及甲状腺功能障碍，因此越来越需要围绕PFAS的发生，命运和治疗进行研究，以评估和减轻这些污染物带来的风险。为此，这项研究计划的总体目标是显着提高我们检测和治疗PFAS的能力。该研究计划的具体目标是：1）开发新的分析方法和被动采样工具，用于监测PFAS; 2）开发一种原位技术，用于固定含有PFAS的地下水羽流; 3）开发一种可持续的热技术，用于销毁固体废物中的PFAS。 拟议的研究将在自然科学和工程学的交叉点进行（例如，分析化学、材料科学、环境工程），并将包括实验室实验、现场试验和数学建模。这种整体方法将产生新的知识（例如，能够对污染物传输进行有根据的预测的模型）和技术（例如，新的处理技术和监测工具）。这种整体的方法也将使HQP（四个博士，一个硕士，和10名本科生）同时获得理论背景，实践技能和现实世界的经验，从而成为污染物的命运和运输，补救技术，环境采样等领域的专家，固体废物处理和管理。凭借这一系列的专业知识，在该计划中接受培训的HQP将能够很好地解决加拿大一些最紧迫的环境问题，例如保护水资源，修复受污染的场地和管理固体废物。

Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a family of over 7000 compounds, many of which possess extremely high chemical and thermal stability. They are used in a variety of industrial and commercial products, including firefighting foams, flame retardants, mist suppressants, adhesives, cosmetics, and surface coatings. These applications of PFAS have led to their widespread presence in soil, groundwater, and surface water, resulting in direct threats to drinking water resources around the world. A recent study estimated that 18 - 80 million people in the United States consume water tainted with PFAS. While there are no official figures for Canada yet, PFAS contamination incidents are being documented with increasing frequency. For example, PFAS have been discovered in the drinking water wells of residences in North Bay (ON) and Mississippi Mills (ON), and in soil, groundwater, surface water, and biota in Hamilton (ON) and Lac-Mégantic (QC). Notably, 38 new sites contaminated with PFAS have been added to the Federal Contaminated Sites Inventory just within the last 3 years. Because exposure to PFAS has been linked to various health problems including increased blood cholesterol, liver damage, kidney and testicular cancer, and thyroid dysfunction, there is a growing need for research surrounding the occurrence, fate, and treatment of PFAS in order to assess and mitigate risks posed by these contaminants. To this end, the overarching goal of this research program is to significantly advance our ability to detect and treat PFAS. The specific objectives of the research program are: 1) To develop novel analytical methods and passive sampling tools for the monitoring of PFAS; 2) To develop an in situ technology for the immobilization of groundwater plumes containing PFAS; and 3) To develop a sustainable thermal technology for the destruction of PFAS in solid wastes. The proposed research will be conducted at the intersection of the natural sciences and engineering (e.g., analytical chemistry, materials science, environmental engineering), and will consist of laboratory experiments, field trials, and mathematical modelling. This holistic approach will generate new knowledge (e.g., models that enable the informed prediction of contaminant transport) and technologies (e.g., new treatment technologies and monitoring tools). This holistic approach will also enable HQP (four PhD, one MASc, and ten undergraduate students) to simultaneously gain theoretical background, hands-on skills, and real-world experience, thereby becoming experts in areas such as contaminant fate and transport, remedial technologies, environmental sampling, and solid waste treatment and management. With this range of expertise, HQP trained in this program will be well-positioned to address some of the most pressing environmental problems in Canada, such as protecting water resources, remediating contaminated sites, and managing solid wastes.