USGS is working with federal, state, and local partners to monitor and evaluate perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Pennsylvania's groundwater and surface waters. A recent study sampled tap water in Pennsylvania (and other states) and detected PFAS chemicals in some samples.
Per- and Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances (PFAS) are emerging anthropogenic contaminants, classified as a water pollutant, manufactured and used commercially in the U.S. since the 1940s. As a group, PFAS contain more than 4,000 different compounds that are saturated with fluorine, some as carboxylic acids (perfluorooctanoic acid [PFOA]) and some as sulfonic acids (perfluorooctanesulfonic acid [PFOS]). The primary use of the chemicals is in firefighting foams for hydrocarbon fires with so called Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF), the manufacture of non-stick coatings, the manufacture of stain resistant and waterproof fabric, metal plating, food packaging, paints, and surfactants. Scientific studies indicate PFAS can affect multiple systems in the human body and have effects such as hormone level interference, increased cholesterol levels and risks of certain cancers.
Pennsylvania Water Science Center is working with Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and experts across the Nation to develop and implement rigorous and innovative techniques to detect PFAS at low levels and determine the magnitude and spatial distribution of environmental PFAS contamination.
Current Pennsylvania PFAS Projects include:
- Standardization of PFAS Sampling Techniques for Surface Water
- PFAS in Pennsylvania Streams and Lakes
- Seasonality of PFAS in Pennsylvania Surface Water
- Willow Grove, Horsham & Warminster - Groundwater flow and PFAS in wells - Report
- Letterkenny Army Depot PFAS Monitoring
Associated science projects
Contaminants in Groundwater near Superfund sites in Pennsylvania
Improving Understanding and Coordination of Science Activities for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
Contaminants in groundwater near former Navy bases in southeastern Pennsylvania
Region 1: North Atlantic-Appalachian PFAS Capability Team
Pennsylvania Statewide Surface Water-Quality Monitoring Network - Per- and polyfluoroalkyl Substances Sampling Preparation
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) detected in Source Waters and Treated Public Water Supplies
- Overview
USGS is working with federal, state, and local partners to monitor and evaluate perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Pennsylvania's groundwater and surface waters. A recent study sampled tap water in Pennsylvania (and other states) and detected PFAS chemicals in some samples.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Hydrologic Technician Collecting PFAS Surface Water Samples in Lake Erie, Pennsylvania(Credit: Joe Duris, USGS Pennsylvania Water Science Center) Per- and Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances (PFAS) are emerging anthropogenic contaminants, classified as a water pollutant, manufactured and used commercially in the U.S. since the 1940s. As a group, PFAS contain more than 4,000 different compounds that are saturated with fluorine, some as carboxylic acids (perfluorooctanoic acid [PFOA]) and some as sulfonic acids (perfluorooctanesulfonic acid [PFOS]). The primary use of the chemicals is in firefighting foams for hydrocarbon fires with so called Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF), the manufacture of non-stick coatings, the manufacture of stain resistant and waterproof fabric, metal plating, food packaging, paints, and surfactants. Scientific studies indicate PFAS can affect multiple systems in the human body and have effects such as hormone level interference, increased cholesterol levels and risks of certain cancers.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.PA Hydrologic Technician Preparing a Shipment of PFAS Samples for Laboratory Analysis Pennsylvania Water Science Center is working with Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and experts across the Nation to develop and implement rigorous and innovative techniques to detect PFAS at low levels and determine the magnitude and spatial distribution of environmental PFAS contamination.
Current Pennsylvania PFAS Projects include:
- Standardization of PFAS Sampling Techniques for Surface Water
- PFAS in Pennsylvania Streams and Lakes
- Seasonality of PFAS in Pennsylvania Surface Water
- Willow Grove, Horsham & Warminster - Groundwater flow and PFAS in wells - Report
- Letterkenny Army Depot PFAS Monitoring
- Science
Associated science projects
Contaminants in Groundwater near Superfund sites in Pennsylvania
USGS has investigated groundwater flow and contaminant transport in the vicinity of Superfund and other hazardous-waste sites in Pennsylvania, in cooperation with EPA. Additional cooperative support has been provided by the U.S. Department of Defense, National Park Service, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, and Montgomery, and local government...Improving Understanding and Coordination of Science Activities for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
Issue: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been manufactured and used in a variety of industries in the United States since the 1940s. PFAS are ubiquitous and persistent in the environment and have the potential to have adverse human and ecological health effects. The Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) partnerships has concerns about how PFAS will affect the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. The CBP...Contaminants in groundwater near former Navy bases in southeastern Pennsylvania
USGS has investigated groundwater flow and contaminant transport in the vicinity of former Navy bases in Bucks and Montgomery Counties, southeastern Pennsylvania, in cooperation with the U.S. Navy. Additional cooperative support for these investigations has been provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Bucks and Montgomery counties...Region 1: North Atlantic-Appalachian PFAS Capability Team
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of anthropogenic emerging contaminants. Some PFAS have been voluntarily phased out, as exposure has been linked to adverse human health effects.Pennsylvania Statewide Surface Water-Quality Monitoring Network - Per- and polyfluoroalkyl Substances Sampling Preparation
In partnership with Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and Susquehanna River Basin Commission, rigorous and innovative PFAS sampling techniques were created for low-level detections.Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) detected in Source Waters and Treated Public Water Supplies
This study, which measured 17 per- and polyfuoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in source and treated public water supplies from 25 drinking water facilities as part of a broader study of contaminants in drinking water across the United States, reports that PFASs were detected in all source water and public water supply samples collected. One sample exceeded the current U.S. Environmental Protection... - Data
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