4.7 Article

Advancing PFAS characterization: Enhancing the total oxidizable precursor assay with improved sample processing and UV activation

Related references

Note: Only part of the references are listed.
Article Engineering, Environmental

Impacts of Environmental and Engineered Processes on the PFAS Fingerprint of Fluorotelomer-Based AFFF

Sarah Balgooyen et al.

Summary: Forensic analysis is potentially useful for identifying the sources of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) at contaminated sites, but it is challenging to determine the sources of fluorotelomer aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) because of the lack of authentic standards for polyfluorinated active ingredients and the possibility of transformation and differential transport of the parent compounds. This study investigates the changes in the PFAS fingerprint of fluorotelomer-derived AFFF due to various environmental and engineered processes, and demonstrates the correlation between a fluorotelomer AFFF manufacturer and surface water contamination in Lake Michigan. The research also highlights the significant changes in the AFFF fingerprint near areas where contaminated biosolids were applied.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY (2023)

Article Environmental Sciences

Improved Total Oxidizable Precursor Assay for Quantifying Polyfluorinated Compounds Amenable to Oxidative Conversion to Perfluoroalkyl Carboxylic Acids

Katerina Tsou et al.

Summary: Despite the widespread use of thousands of PFASs, there are only analytical methods available for quantifying them in environmental samples. The TOP assay quantifies unknown PFASs by oxidizing them into PFCAs, which are easily measured. The improved TOP assay includes the use of an efficiency indicator and the analysis of ultrashort PFCAs to enhance its reproducibility and accuracy.

ACS ES&T WATER (2023)

Article Environmental Sciences

The Total Oxidizable Precursor (TOP) Assay as a Forensic Tool for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Source Apportionment

Edmund H. H. Antell et al.

Summary: TOP assay data were used to identify PFAS contamination sources based on visualizing a two-component PCA and similarities in chemical composition. The TOP assay augmented the number of quantified PFASs and improved separation among sources in dimension-reducing algorithms, such as PCA. A web application was developed to initiate PFAS source apportionment efforts on data from sites where contaminant sources are unknown.

ACS ES&T WATER (2023)

Article Engineering, Environmental

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Contaminated Soil and Groundwater at Airports: A Canadian Case Study

Min Liu et al.

Summary: The occurrence of 93 classes of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) was investigated at AFFF-impacted sites of Canadian airports. PFAS profiles, loads, and spatial trends were site-specific, influenced by AFFF use history. Zwitterionic and cationic compounds composed a large percentage in surface soil samples but a relatively low percentage in groundwater samples. This study provides critical data to support developing new priority analyte lists and integrating TOP assay for comprehensive PFAS monitoring at AFFF-impacted sites.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY (2022)

Article Engineering, Environmental

An Outdoor Aging Study to Investigate the Release of Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) from Functional Textiles

Steffen Schellenberger et al.

Summary: The emission of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from functional textiles was investigated through an outdoor weathering experiment. It was found that the textiles released low molecular weight PFAS substances after continuous exposure to natural stressors, and the color and water repellency of the textiles were also affected.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY (2022)

Article Engineering, Environmental

Release of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances from finished biosolids in soil mesocosms

Charles E. Schaefer et al.

Summary: This study collected and characterized finished biosolids from seven municipal water resource recovery facilities. The results showed a significant presence of PFAS, with diPAPs being the most common. The total oxidizable precursor assay failed to accurately measure the amount of precursors in the biosolids. Leaching experiments simulating biosolids land application demonstrated sustained leaching of PFAS over a 6-month period.

WATER RESEARCH (2022)

Article Environmental Sciences

Elucidating degradation mechanisms for a range of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) via controlled irradiation studies

David Patch et al.

Summary: This study aimed to elucidate and refine the current understanding of PFAS degradation mechanisms in water through controlled gamma irradiation experiments. It was found that aqueous electrons were the key reactive species responsible for initial PFAS degradation, and the initial -F/+H can occur throughout the chain length, leading to more complex degradation pathways.

SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT (2022)

Article Environmental Sciences

Digging deep-implementation, standardisation and interpretation of a total oxidisable precursor (TOP) assay within the regulatory context of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in soil

Bernd Goeckener et al.

Summary: In recent decades, the use of various per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) has increased, leading to the need for new analytical methods to comprehensively describe their contamination in soil. The total oxidisable precursor (TOP) assay, although not yet applied in the regulatory context of PFASs, can provide valuable data for detecting and characterising soil contamination. This commentary provides an overview of different approaches of the TOP assay, its advantages and disadvantages compared to other sum parameters, and the opportunities and challenges for implementing it as a regulatory tool.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES EUROPE (2022)

Article Engineering, Environmental

PhotoTOP: PFAS Precursor Characterization by UV/TiO2 Photocatalysis

Jonathan Zweigle et al.

Summary: Photocatalysis was evaluated as a method to characterize PFAS precursors; reactivity was determined by monitoring OH radicals; PhotoTOP was able to qualitatively predict the chain length of PFAS precursors.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY (2022)

Article Environmental Studies

The Social Life of the Forever Chemical PFAS Pollution Legacies and Toxic Events

Daniel Renfrew et al.

Summary: This article examines how PFAS contamination affects social, political, and cultural dimensions, and how people respond to PFAS exposure experiences. It also explores the dynamics of toxicity continuum and the concept of toxic events in the context of otherwise invisible pollution/toxicity becoming public and political episodes.

ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIETY-ADVANCES IN RESEARCH (2021)

Article Environmental Sciences

Determination of total oxidizable precursors in foam surfactants and foam contaminated water based on UV-activated persulfate oxidation

Xueqi Fan et al.

Summary: A new UV-activated persulfate method was developed as a faster alternative to the traditional heat-based TOP assay to convert PFASs precursors into detectable PFAAs. The UV-based TOP assay showed nearly complete conversion of FTS and FOSA within 60 minutes, with comparable results to the heat-based assay in industry samples. The UV-based TOP assay is efficient, reliable and faster than the conventional heat-based method.

SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT (2021)

Article Environmental Sciences

Mechanochemical remediation of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) amended sand and aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) impacted soil by planetary ball milling

Lauren P. Turner et al.

Summary: PFAS are manmade fluorinated organic chemicals identified as persistent organic pollutants, with surface active properties suitable for oil- and water-resistant products and firefighting foams. Studies show that PFOS and PFOA can be effectively degraded by mechanochemical treatment with the use of co-milling reagents and adjustments in water saturation.

SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT (2021)

Editorial Material Engineering, Environmental

A New OECD Definition for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

Zhanyun Wang et al.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY (2021)

Article Engineering, Environmental

Density Functional Theory Calculations Decipher Complex Reaction Pathways of 6:2 Fluorotelomer Sulfonate to Perfluoroalkyl Carboxylates Initiated by Hydroxyl Radical

Yanyan Zhang et al.

Summary: In this study, the reaction path of 6:2 FTSA initiated by (OH)-O-center dot was mapped using density functional theory (DFT) calculations and experimentally verified. It was found that the parallel addition of (OH)-O-center dot and O-2 to CnF2n+1 center dot was essential to producing C2-C6 PFCAs. The generation of alkoxyl radicals and chain cleavage were identified as critical steps in the transformation process.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY (2021)

Article Green & Sustainable Science & Technology

Total oxidisable precursor assay towards selective detection of PFAS in AFFF

Md Al Amin et al.

Summary: The TOP assay can degrade and convert unknown PFAS to detectable forms, with tests conducted on known compounds and PFAS precursors to understand the degradation pathway and effectiveness. The results indicate the assay's efficacy in assessing the presence of PFAS precursors in AFFF samples, with some variations in end products. Recommendations for enhancing the assay are also provided.

JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION (2021)

Article Environmental Sciences

Ozone as oxidizing agent for the total oxidizable precursor (TOP) assay and as a preceding step for activated carbon treatments concerning per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance removal

Andreas-Marius Kaiser et al.

Summary: The study aimed to implement and assess the TOP assay with ozone as an oxidizing agent to estimate total PFAS content in WWTP effluent. Results showed a significantly higher estimated PFAS content using the oxidation of precursors compared to target PFAS analysis. Powdered activated carbon was the only water treatment application that could remove 19.3% of the total PFAS molarity.

JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT (2021)

Article Engineering, Environmental

Under-reporting Potential of Perfluorooctanesulfonic Acid (PFOS) under High-Ionic Strength Conditions

Sophia D. Steffens et al.

Summary: The surfactant properties of PFOS can cause a decrease in its concentration in solutions under high-ionic strength conditions, due to aggregation and enhanced interfacial activity. Divalent cations, such as Mg2+ and Ca2+, have a greater impact on decreasing the critical micelle concentration and increasing the saturation of PFOS at the air-water interface compared to monovalent cations like Na+ and K+. These findings have implications for predicting the fate and transport of PFOS in saltwater-impacted zones near contamination sources.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS (2021)

Article Engineering, Environmental

Remediation of PFAS-Contaminated Soil and Granular Activated Carbon by Smoldering Combustion

Alexandra L. Duchesne et al.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY (2020)

Article Chemistry, Analytical

Advanced PFAS precursor digestion methods for biosolids

Samuel Hutchinson et al.

ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY (2020)

Article Engineering, Environmental

Fate of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Ether Acids in the Total Oxidizable Precursor Assay and Implications for the Analysis of Impacted Water

Chuhui Zhang et al.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS (2019)

Review Engineering, Environmental

Technology review and evaluation of different chemical oxidation conditions on treatability of PFAS

Paul M. Dombrowski et al.

REMEDIATION-THE JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANUP COSTS TECHNOLOGIES & TECHNIQUES (2018)

Article Engineering, Environmental

Aerobic Biotransformation of Fluorotelomer Thioether Amido Sulfonate (Lodyne) in AFFF-Amended Microcosms

Katie C. Harding-Marjanovic et al.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY (2015)

Article Engineering, Environmental

Oxidative Conversion as a Means of Detecting Precursors to Perfluoroalkyl Acids in Urban Runoff

Erika F. Houtz et al.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY (2012)

Article Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

A Kinetic-Equilibrium Study of a Triiodide Concentration Maximum Formed by the Persulfate-Iodide Reaction

Arthur E. Burgess et al.

JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION (2012)

Article Environmental Sciences

A rapid spectrophotometric determination of persulfate anion in ISCO

Chenju Liang et al.

CHEMOSPHERE (2008)