Quantifying per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in air emissions: Lab & field experiences from a hazardous waste incinerator

IF 10.3 1区环境科学与生态学 Q1 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Environment International Pub Date : 2025-05-17 DOI:10.1016/j.envint.2025.109541

Jelle Hofman , Griet Jacobs , Bart Baeyens , Aline Reis De Carvalho , Wim Aerts , Stefan Voorspoels , Gill Van den Bergh , Masha Van Deun , Patrick Berghmans , Andres Van Brecht , Gert Otten

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are ubiquitous in our environment and food chains but standardized monitoring methods are still lacking for the air compartment. This work presents methodological developments and validation experiments which led to a new compendium method (LUC) for the quantification of PFAS in air emissions. From 2021 onwards, relevant experience with the proposed OTM-45 method (EPA, 2021) was obtained through dedicated laboratory experiments and 15 repeated stack measurements at a hazardous waste-to-energy (WtE) plant. We optimized the sampling, extraction and analytical procedure and performed different lab and field validation exercises, resulting in the first available regulatory method for the detection and quantification of PFAS in air emissions (LUC/VI/003). This method turned into force in Flanders since January 15th, 2024, and is meanwhile applied on various stacks and industries to collect evidence on prevailing concentration levels, compositional fingerprints and impact evaluation from gas abatement technologies. We stress the need for harmonization of both PFAS sampling and analytical procedures in order to guarantee comparability of PFAS emission results. This methodological evidence paves the way for more standardized emission monitoring, more stringent environmental standards and improved public health protection.

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空气排放物中全氟烷基和多氟烷基物质（PFAS）的量化：危险废物焚化炉的实验室和现场经验

全氟烷基和多氟烷基物质（PFAS）在我们的环境和食物链中无处不在，但对空气隔间的标准化监测方法仍然缺乏。这项工作提出了方法学的发展和验证实验，这导致了一种新的纲要方法（LUC），用于空气排放中PFAS的量化。从2021年起，通过专门的实验室实验和在危险废物发电（WtE）工厂进行的15次重复堆测量，获得了拟议的OTM-45方法（EPA, 2021）的相关经验。我们优化了采样、提取和分析程序，并进行了不同的实验室和现场验证练习，从而形成了第一个可用的空气排放中PFAS检测和定量的监管方法（LUC/VI/003）。该方法自2024年1月15日起在法兰德斯生效，同时应用于各种堆栈和行业，以收集有关气体减排技术的现行浓度水平、成分指纹和影响评估的证据。我们强调有必要统一PFAS取样和分析程序，以保证PFAS排放结果的可比性。这一方法学证据为更标准化的排放监测、更严格的环境标准和更好的公共卫生保护铺平了道路。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Environment International 环境科学-环境科学

CiteScore

21.90

自引率

3.40%

发文量

734

审稿时长

2.8 months

期刊介绍： Environmental Health publishes manuscripts focusing on critical aspects of environmental and occupational medicine, including studies in toxicology and epidemiology, to illuminate the human health implications of exposure to environmental hazards. The journal adopts an open-access model and practices open peer review. It caters to scientists and practitioners across all environmental science domains, directly or indirectly impacting human health and well-being. With a commitment to enhancing the prevention of environmentally-related health risks, Environmental Health serves as a public health journal for the community and scientists engaged in matters of public health significance concerning the environment.