Helping a manufacturing facility understand its PFAS footprint
A manufacturing client hired Barr to provide a desktop assessment of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) use in its operations and the potential impacts. A class of emerging contaminants, PFAS has seen increased regulation throughout the U.S. The purpose of the assessment was to provide a snapshot of the facility’s current operations to inform the client on potential risks associated with PFAS.
Barr first reviewed the client’s safety data sheet (SDS) database to identify chemicals that contain PFAS or are suspected to contain PFAS and then reviewed identified chemicals for PFAS content. We also reviewed processes at the facility and evaluated the fate of chemicals containing or suspected to contain PFAS. In addition to the desktop assessment, Barr sampled and coordinated the analysis of wastewater and incorporated the results into the assessment. We then prepared a technical memorandum that summarized the results of the SDS review and the potential pathways to the environment for PFAS chemicals, identified potential regulatory triggers, and recommended a path forward.
Our client was able to understand its PFAS footprint to assess if chemicals used in the manufacturing process could be replaced or the use modified to decrease the risk of PFAS reaching the environment. The information gathered during the desktop evaluation also prepared the client for emerging regulations related to PFAS.
Learn more about our PFAS engineering and environmental capabilities.