Helping a Site Owner Manage New Contamination Issues
From 1968 to 1986 the former Chrysler Corporation owned and operated a chrome plating facility along the Huron River that used per- and poly-fluoroalkyl (PFAS)-based chemicals to suppress plating bath mists.
Today, more than 30 years after the facility closed, TRC is helping the current owner address PFAS contamination on the site.
The designated Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)-led Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) site has already undergone substantial cleanup to remove volatile organic compounds and other contaminants.
PFAS, which is an emerging group of contaminants, has presented a whole new set of complex problems that TRC is working to address.
PFAS sampling completed at existing monitoring wells confirmed the presence of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) above the EGLE criterion for protection of surface water, e.g., groundwater surface water interface (GSI) criterion.
Site investigation activities are underway to delineate the extent of PFOS above the GSI criterion (11 ng/L) and quantify discharge to the Huron River.
Efforts to quantify site discharge to the Huron River are complicated by an upstream contaminated surface water body (from a up stream source with documented discharge levels orders of magnitude above concentrations observed at on-site GSI compliance points) and periodic reverse gradient flow conditions.
Once the PFAS have been delineated, we will work with EGLE and other stakeholders to assess risks and incorporate PFAS into a revised Corrective Measures Implementation Program Plan.
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Sharing Our Perspectives
Our practitioners share their insights and perspectives on the trends and challenges shaping the market.
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The awareness and emphasis on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as an “emerging contaminant” have led to the rapid and on-going evolution of the regulatory landscape at both the federal and state level.
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Coming at You Fast – The Latest on RCRA and PFAS Regulations
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The EPA published its Proposed Rule for Listing of Specific PFAS as Hazardous Constituents under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).
New EPA Rule Impacts PFAS TRI Reporting and Supplier Notifications
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The EPA is proposing updates to their Air Emissions Reporting Requirements (AERR) through amendments to 40 CFR Parts 2 and 51.
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PFAS are widely used in the production of numerous products. Some PFAS chemicals are the by-product of manufacturing processes. As a result, PFAS contamination is widespread, with PFAS being found nearly everywhere in the world.
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This white paper focuses on some unique strategies and situations we have encountered at some airport sites.
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On Jan 9, 2023, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revised the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) to reflect a new risk determination for trichloroethylene (TCE).
Proposed Use of a Hazard Index for PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR)
April 4, 2023
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Proposed MCLGs and MCLs for PFAS
March 15, 2023
Final Regulatory Determination for Contaminants on the Fourth Drinking Water Contaminant Candidate List
QA and Chemistry Services
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Understanding PFAS properties and behavior is key to effective detection and remediation.
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The conceptual site model describes site-specific sources, release and transport mechanisms, exposure media, exposure points, exposure pathways and routes and potential human and/or ecological receptor populations.
EPA Announces $2 Billion in Funding to Address Emerging Contaminants in Drinking Water
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EPA Publishes Effluent Guidelines Program Plan 15
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The EPA announced updated effluent limitations guidelines under Plan 15, focusing on the evaluation and rulemaking process for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) discharges.
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TRI PFAS Reporting Requirements Continue to Expand
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The list of PFAS for TRI reporting has increased to a total of 189 for reporting year 2023.
PFAS Discharges in NPDES Permits
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In a follow-up to the EPA Office of Water’s April 28, 2022 memo, EPA released “Part 2″, providing guidance for the NPDES permitting/pretreatment program as it relates to restricting discharges of PFAS to water bodies.
Washington State Establishes PFAS Cleanup Levels
September 21, 2022
The Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) recently published a list of 6 PFAS compounds that now have soil and groundwater cleanup levels
New National Emerging Contaminants Research Initiative
September 12, 2022
The Executive Office of the President of the United States announced a National Emerging Contaminant Research Initiative
EPA Issues Proposed Rule Designating PFOA and PFOS as Hazardous Substances
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The EPA has issued a pre-publication version of a proposed rule to designate two PFAS compounds as hazardous substances under CERCLA.
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EPA announced the addition of five new PFAS to the list of Regional Screening Levels (RSLs)
EPA Announces Updated Drinking Water Health Advisories for Four PFAS Chemicals: PFOS, PFOA, PFBS, & GenX
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On June 15, 2022, the EPA released updated Health Advisory Levels for four per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water
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May 25, 2022
In compliance with the Clean Water Act (CWA), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently proposed a new rule for onshore non-transportation-related facilities requiring specified facilities to plan for worst case discharges (WCDs) of CWA hazardous substances that could cause substantial harm to the environment.
PFAS Discharges and NPDES Permits
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On April 28, 2022, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Water released a memo addressing the use of National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits to restrict per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) discharges to water bodies.
EPA Proposes Aquatic Life Criteria for PFOA and PFOS
May 25, 2022
On May 3, 2022, under the Clean Water Act (CWA), the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) proposed the first aquatic life criteria for both short-term and long-term toxic effects from Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid (PFOS).
SEC Releases New Proposed Rules Requiring Public Companies to Disclose Climate Risks
April 12, 2022
On March 21, 2022, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued its proposed rules for The Enhancement and Standardization of Climate-Related Disclosures for Investors which would require public companies in the U.S. to disclose information in their annual financial reports.
PFOA & PFOS As CERCLA Hazardous Substances: What Does This Mean and How Can You Be Prepared?
February 17, 2022
A plan to designate two per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as “hazardous substances” under CERCLA was recently submitted by the EPA.
New Phase I ESA Standard Will Affect Environmental Due Diligence
January 25, 2022
After years of review, revisions and discussions, the new ASTM E1527 Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (Phase I ESA) standard has been published. The new standard includes updates to definitions, clarifications on processes and requirements, and guidance for emerging contaminants.
Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule Lists 29 PFAS
January 21, 2022
EPA published fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule as required every five years and 29 of the 30 contaminants listed are PFAS.
Need help collecting PFAS samples for NJDEP deadline December 15?
October 7, 2021
NJDES Category B or L Industrial Permit holders – If you haven’t obtained your first PFAS sample yet, time is running out. All New Jersey Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NJDES) Category B or L Industrial Permit holders are required by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Projection (NJDEP) to collect two representative effluent samples, taken 30 days apart, to be analyzed for PFAS by an approved laboratory and submitted to them by December 15, 2021.
Interpretation of “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) Reverts to Pre-2015 Regulatory Definition
September 29, 2021
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) revert to pre-2015 regulatory program definition of “Waters of the United States.”
EPA Solicits Comments on PFAS Discharges in Five Point Source Categories
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PFAS Air Emissions Standards and Trends for Summer 2021
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Environmental impacts of PFAS in ambient air leads to states implementing PFAS air-related thresholds.
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TRC Colorado PFAS Regulatory Update
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2021 EPA TRI Reporting Requirements for Natural Gas Processing Facilities
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TRC experts make several presentations at the Battelle conference about innovative approaches they have developed for implementing and monitoring bioremediation and the use of naturally-occurring or deliberately-introduced micro-organisms to break down environmental pollutants.
Interim Guidance on Destruction and Disposal of PFAS & Materials Containing PFAS
February 19, 2021
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EPA continues to aggressively address PFAS wastewater with two new strategies
January 4, 2021
EPA takes steps toward PFAS wastewater and storm water permitting, and analytical methods for testing.
TRC Companies Inc. Acquires 1Source Safety and Health
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Ecological Risk of PFAS from AFFF-Impacted Sites
June 30, 2020
The facts on evaluating exposure to wildlife
TRC’s Reporting Tool Can Help Identify New PFAS under the TRI
May 19, 2020
While utilities often work in technical silos, NERC auditors are trained to cross check compliance evidence and data between interrelated standards.
