PFAS sampling activities in the U.S. Geological Survey national networks

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), frequently called “forever chemicals,” are used for a wide variety of industrial purposes and are often found in common household and industrial items such as firefighting foams, non-stick cookware, and water-resistant materials. The contamination of water, air, and soil by PFAS is a national and global issue due to their widespread occurrence in multiple applications and resistance to biodegradation and other traditional treatment processes. Research indicates that many PFAS can be emitted to the atmosphere and transported and deposited long distances from the source.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Water Resources Mission Area received funding to implement a national-scale sampling effort to assess PFAS occurrence. To follow agency directives, the National Water Quality Network (NWQN) added PFAS sample monitoring for both surface water and groundwater, and also added PFAS monitoring to selected sites in the National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP).