Event Name: 

PFAS – Everything You Need to Know About Forever Chemicals

Event Location:  The Westin, 4535 Commerce Street, Virginia Beach, VA 23462

Event Date/Time:  August 9, 2023 from 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

For more details or to register, visit:  HERE

Event Description: 

Learning Objectives

-What is PFAS and where is it used/commonly found

-Issues related to PFAS including: disposal, usage, and remediation

-Regulations regarding PFAS

-Sampling guidelines and techniques

Abstract

Per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS), including perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), are a group of manufactured compounds used in a variety of industries including aerospace, automotive, textiles, and electronics since the 1940s. PFAS and associated compounds are also widely used in commercial and consumer products such as food packaging, water and stain repellent fabrics, cosmetics, nonstick products, and firefighting foams. Many of these products and by-products are commonly found on military installations throughout the US. These compounds are a concern because they:

• Do not naturally break down in the environment;
• Can move through soils and contaminate drinking water sources;
• Build up in fish in wildlife; and
• Have been linked to adverse health effects in humans and animals.

To develop an effective sampling program for PFAS it is important to select a partner that understands the unique challenges that PFAS sampling presents. Because of low detection levels and the prevalence of PFAS in everyday products (including some environmental sampling equipment), PFAS testing presents a unique host of challenges. To avoid potential sample contamination, methods and equipment typically used for current sampling will not be suitable for use in PFAS sampling. The collection of blanks and the use of special PFAS-free water are necessary to ensure that PFAS monitoring is accurate and reliable.

Ubiquitous things, such as the sampler’s clothes and grooming habits on the sampling day can result in false positives when dealing with PFAS compounds. I will cover the requirements and equipment needed for PFAS sampling, avoiding cross-contamination, and how to develop a successful future forward sampling program for PFAS that expands your present-day monitoring program.

Speaker: Andrew K. Smith, Environmental Project Manager, Froehling & Robertson, Inc.

Andrew Smith is an Environmental Project Manager with more than five years of experience with F&R. His work has primarily been within the due diligence service line performing Phase I Environmental Site Assessments, Phase II Environmental Site Assessments, and Property Condition Assessments. He routinely manages F&R’s monthly and quarterly wastewater monitoring/sampling projects for commercial and industrial clients and has experience with natural resources conducting wetland delineations. Andrew is also a Virginia Licensed Asbestos Inspector. He serves a project manager for PFAS sampling projects in Virginia and has developed sampling plans to assist clients with PFAS concentrations for industrial process lines. 

Cost: Member $45; Non-member $55; Government/Military (Officer) $30; Military (Non-commissioned Officer) $25; Young Professionals (39 & under) $30; Students FREE.