USGS recently (2022) released a strategic vision document that identifies science gaps and opportunities for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) monitoring, assessment, and research activities (sampling protocols and analytical methods, environmental sources and source apportionment, environmental occurrence, environmental fate and transport, human and wildlife exposure routes, bioaccumulation and biomagnification, and ecotoxicology) that are tied to U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) capabilities and expertise.
The widespread occurrence of PFAS in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, drinking water, wildlife, and human plasma has raised public health and resource management questions including the following:
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What are the best methods to measure PFAS?
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What are the sources of PFAS to the environment?
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How do PFAS move in the environment?
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How do PFAS breakdown in the environment?
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How are wildlife exposed?
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Does PFAS bioaccumulate?
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Are there any adverse effects on wildlife?
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How are humans exposed?
U.S. Geological Survey Taking a Strategic Approach
The USGS recently (2021) released a strategy that outlines the agency’s future scientific role in the study of PFAS to answer these questions. The strategy identifies PFAS-related science opportunities that USGS is uniquely positioned to address in the short term (1–2 years) using existing resources, as well as longer-term (3 years and beyond) PFAS science opportunities.
The USGS has a history of interdisciplinary PFAS research that informed the formation of the strategic vision. The strategic vision document was created to inform steps forward for the USGS related to the science of PFAS with the needs of public health experts and ecological resource managers in mind, including information to identify environmental distribution and understand exposure in humans and wildlife.
The strategy addresses short- and long-term opportunities for the following:
-
Sampling protocols and analytical methods
-
Environmental sources and source apportionment
-
Environmental occurrence
-
Environmental fate and transport
-
Human and wildlife exposure routes
-
Bioaccumulation and biomagnification
-
Ecotoxicology
U.S. Geological Survey is Taking Actions Identified in the Strategy
- Historical PFAS research provides foundational information
- Development of analytical methods and dedicated laboratories for PFAS analyses in animal plasma, animal tissue, and water samples.
- Formation of an Integrated Science Team through the USGS Environmental Health Program to study PFAS sources, movement, degradation, wildlife and human exposure, and potential hazards to fish and wildlife.
- Initiation of studies to measure PFAS in tap water to inform human exposure, including areas with underrepresented communities.
- Initiation of studies to measure PFAS in fish tissue at locations coincidental with tap water sampling as part of a One-Health approach.
- Reimbursable work with external partners for research on issues related to PFAS at local and regional levels.
Read this collection of featured science articles to discover more about PFAS research in the Environmental Health Program of the Ecosystems Mission Area.
Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Integrated Science Team
U.S. Geological Survey Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Science Strategy Identifies Science Gaps and Opportunities
Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Science Team
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Residential Tap Water: Source-to-Tap Science for Underserved Communities
No Adverse Reproductive Effects Observed in Tree Swallows Exposed to Perfluoroalkyl Substances in Clarks Marsh, Michigan
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) detected in Source Waters and Treated Public Water Supplies
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances From Firefighting and Domestic Wastewater Remain in Groundwater for Decades
- Overview
USGS recently (2022) released a strategic vision document that identifies science gaps and opportunities for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) monitoring, assessment, and research activities (sampling protocols and analytical methods, environmental sources and source apportionment, environmental occurrence, environmental fate and transport, human and wildlife exposure routes, bioaccumulation and biomagnification, and ecotoxicology) that are tied to U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) capabilities and expertise.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.The recently (2022) released strategic vision document was designed to help the USGS address knowledge gaps and add value to the PFAS focused research of other academics, and agencies at local, regional, and national scales. The widespread occurrence of PFAS in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, drinking water, wildlife, and human plasma has raised public health and resource management questions including the following:
-
What are the best methods to measure PFAS?
-
What are the sources of PFAS to the environment?
-
How do PFAS move in the environment?
-
How do PFAS breakdown in the environment?
-
How are wildlife exposed?
-
Does PFAS bioaccumulate?
-
Are there any adverse effects on wildlife?
-
How are humans exposed?
U.S. Geological Survey Taking a Strategic Approach
The USGS recently (2021) released a strategy that outlines the agency’s future scientific role in the study of PFAS to answer these questions. The strategy identifies PFAS-related science opportunities that USGS is uniquely positioned to address in the short term (1–2 years) using existing resources, as well as longer-term (3 years and beyond) PFAS science opportunities.
The USGS has a history of interdisciplinary PFAS research that informed the formation of the strategic vision. The strategic vision document was created to inform steps forward for the USGS related to the science of PFAS with the needs of public health experts and ecological resource managers in mind, including information to identify environmental distribution and understand exposure in humans and wildlife.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.US Geological Survey scientist at the Eastern Ecological Science Center preparing to analyze plasma samples on a high resolution mass spectrometer for per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS). The strategy addresses short- and long-term opportunities for the following:
-
Sampling protocols and analytical methods
-
Environmental sources and source apportionment
-
Environmental occurrence
-
Environmental fate and transport
-
Human and wildlife exposure routes
-
Bioaccumulation and biomagnification
-
Ecotoxicology
U.S. Geological Survey is Taking Actions Identified in the Strategy
- Historical PFAS research provides foundational information
- Development of analytical methods and dedicated laboratories for PFAS analyses in animal plasma, animal tissue, and water samples.
- Formation of an Integrated Science Team through the USGS Environmental Health Program to study PFAS sources, movement, degradation, wildlife and human exposure, and potential hazards to fish and wildlife.
- Initiation of studies to measure PFAS in tap water to inform human exposure, including areas with underrepresented communities.
- Initiation of studies to measure PFAS in fish tissue at locations coincidental with tap water sampling as part of a One-Health approach.
- Reimbursable work with external partners for research on issues related to PFAS at local and regional levels.
Read this collection of featured science articles to discover more about PFAS research in the Environmental Health Program of the Ecosystems Mission Area.
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- Science
Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Integrated Science Team
Increasing scientific and public awareness of the widespread distribution of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in U.S. drinking-water supplies, aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, wildlife, and humans has raised many public health and resource management questions that U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) science can inform. The USGS Environmental Health Program's PFAS Integrated Science Team...U.S. Geological Survey Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Science Strategy Identifies Science Gaps and Opportunities
USGS recently (2022) released a strategic vision document that identifies science gaps and opportunities for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) monitoring, assessment, and research activities (sampling protocols and analytical methods, environmental sources and source apportionment, environmental occurrence, environmental fate and transport, human and wildlife exposure routes...Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Science Team
The team studies toxicants and pathogens in water resources from their sources, through watersheds, aquifers, and infrastructure to human and wildlife exposures. That information is used to develop decision tools that protect human and wildlife health.Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Residential Tap Water: Source-to-Tap Science for Underserved Communities
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were detected at low levels in treated drinking water samples from residential taps in the Greater Chicago Area. This study is part of a larger approach to provide an understanding of contaminant mixtures in residential tap water across the Nation including underserved communities in rural, urban, and tribal areas.No Adverse Reproductive Effects Observed in Tree Swallows Exposed to Perfluoroalkyl Substances in Clarks Marsh, Michigan
Perfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) concentrations in tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) breeding at Clarks Marsh near a decommissioned U.S. Air Force base in Michigan were among the highest concentrations ever documented in birds indicating significant PFAS exposures. In contrast to previous studies where reproductive impairment was documented at lower PFAS exposure, there were no adverse effects on...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...Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances From Firefighting and Domestic Wastewater Remain in Groundwater for Decades
New study explores the persistence and transport of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) that originated from both firefighting and domestic wastewater sources. Although the fire training area and wastewater facility were decommissioned over 20 years ago, both sites continue to be sources of PFASs to groundwater. - Publications
- News