Biosolids

Project Goal

The goal of this project is to measure PFAS content and composition profile of biosolids produced after dewatering, drying, and composting at wastewater treatment plants and to quantify PFAS release characteristics via leaching experiments. In October 2021, US EPA announced important steps toward evaluating the existing data for four PFAS under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) strengthening the ability to clean up PFAS contamination across the country through the RCRA corrective action process. US EPA also published the human health toxicity assessment for GenX chemicals (trade name for a processing aid technology for making high-performance fluoropolymers). US EPA is considering defining PFAS or some subset of PFAS as a “hazardous substance” under the Comprehensive Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). US EPA’s comprehensive approach to addressing PFAS is guided by research, restriction from entering environment, and the cleanup of harmful PFAS contamination. The proposed research activities are aligned with the research goals of the US EPA roadmap.