Bay West presenting on “PFAS – Positive Steps Towards the Future” at Global Conference on Environment & Water Resources

This week in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the Environmental & Water Resources Institute (EWRI) is hosting the World Environmental & Water Resources Congress 2018. Leading environmental and water resource professionals are gathering all week at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Minneapolis to discuss the latest topics in water resources.

Among these topics will be “Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances (PFAS) – Positive Steps for the Future,” presented by Bay West’s in-house experts, Dirk Pohlmann and Donovan Hannu.

Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances (PFAS) – Positive Steps for the Future

Abstract

Polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) are a family of chemicals used to reduce friction and/or resist heat in a variety of applications. Frequent and direct uses of PFAS include the following:

• Fire-fighting foam
• Non-stick cookware
• Stain-resistant or water-proof fabrics and carpets
• Food packaging coatings
• Other industrial applications such as plastic injection molding

The physical nature of PFAS makes them persistent and extremely stable. Once users release PFAS to the environment, they do not degrade and, therefore, can not only end up in the drinking water supply but can be concentrated by groundwater/drinking water treatment systems and/or industrial wastewater treatment systems in treatment system sludge. Parties that may indirectly (and unknowingly) handle PFAS-contaminated materials such as municipal water treatment facilities, landfill operators, developers, or soil excavators can further redistribute these materials and form secondary point sources.

In May 2017, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) released revised drinking water guidance values for four specific PFAS compounds. These new PFAS guidance values range from 27 to 7,000 parts per trillion.

As health studies on PFAS increase, it is likely that additional legislation regarding PFAS distribution, usage, and/or re-distribution will be coming in the future.

Bay West’s experience working on PFAS-contaminated sites has helped us understand the wide range of issues that direct users of PFAS and indirect handlers of PFAS-contaminated materials may soon be facing. Our presentation will help suppliers, users, indirect handlers, and other interested parties better understand these issues, then recommend actions that they should consider taking to help reduce their future liabilities.

About the Conference Organizers

The Environmental & Water Resources Congress 2018 is hosted by the Environmental & Water Resources Institute (EWRI), in association with the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). “Created in 1999,” as stated on the conference’s website, “the Environmental & Water Resources Institute (EWRI) is the recognized leader within ASCE for the integration of technical expertise and public policy in the planning, design, construction, and operation of environmentally sound and sustainable infrastructure impacting air, land and water resources.”

When and Where to See The Presentation

If you are attending the Congress this year and wish to hear Mr. Pohlmann and Mr. Hannu present on PFAS, they will present on Tuesday, June 5 in Lakeshore Room B at the Hyatt Regency from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM under the session name, Hazardous Toxic and Radioactive Waste.

If you have any questions about the presentation experience at the conference, don’t hesitate to contact Dirk or Donovan!