Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals that includes PFOA, PFOS, GenX, among others. PFAS have been manufactured and used in a variety of industries since the 1940s due to their desirable properties of heat, friction, and water resistance. Because of their carbon-fluorine bonds, PFAS chemicals are persistent and accumulate in the environment as well as in the human body. This exposure to PFAS chemicals is of public health concern as even low concentrations of PFAS in the body can lead to significant, adverse health effects such as thyroid disorders, elevated blood pressure in pregnant women, and changes liver enzymes.
This study evaluates the presence and concentration of PFAS compounds throughout the Cache Valley in Northern Utah. The Cache Valley is a historically agricultural community with a medium sized research University that is attracting new high-tech, biotechnology, and environmental companies. Although the historical manufacturing, aviation, or firefighting sectors that have been associated with PFAS contamination are not located in Cache Valley, this study seeks to quantify the significance of PFAS exposure in this rural/peri-urban environment typical of much of the Intermountain West.
Nearly half of the PFAS compounds (10 of 21) analyzed were detected in both the influent and effluent of the valley wastewater treatment plants, as were a variety of PFAS compounds in the landfill leachate and leachate treatment pond sediments, home garden vegetables, and rainfall samples.
A summary of results from all environmental media will be presented in this paper along with potential exposure scenarios as well as corresponding human health risks for populations residing in the Cache Valley. Implications of findings for residents of similar communities throughout the Intermountain West will also be discussed.
R Ryan Dupont
Ryan Dupont is a Professor of Environmental Engineering in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and a Research Associate at the Utah Water Research Laboratory at Utah State University in Logan, Utah. He has been at the Water Lab since 1982 involved in applied research related to soil and groundwater remediation, field scale remediation and wastewater treatment plant system performance evaluation, risk assessment of water reuse, and implementation of green infrastructure for stormwater harvesting in the Intermountain West. Ryan has a BS degree in Civil Engineering and an MS and PhD degree in Environmental Health Engineering from the University of Kansas.
Simon Kozik
Joan McLean