Characterizing Perfluorooctanoate in Ambient Air near the Fence Line of a Manufacturing Facility: Comparing Modeled and Monitored Values

Abstract

In order to improve our understanding of the nature, measurement and prediction of salts of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in air, two studies were performed along the fence line of a fluoropolymer manufacturing facility. First, a six-event, 24-hr monitoring series was performed around the fence line using the OSHA versatile sampler (OVS) system. Perfluorooctanoate concentrations were determined as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) via liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Those data indicated that the majority of the PFOA was present as a particulate. No vapor-phase PFOA was detected above a detection limit of approximately 0.07 microg/m3. A follow-up study using a high-volume cascade impactor verified the range of concentrations observed in the OVS data. Both studies aligned with the major transport direction and range of concentrations predicted by an air dispersion model, demonstrating that model predictions agreed with monitoring results. Results from both monitoring methods and predictions from air dispersion modeling showed the primary direction of transport for PFOA was in the prevailing wind direction. The PFOA concentration measured at the site fence over the 10-week sampling period ranged from 0.12 to 0.9 microg/m3. Modeled predictions for the same time period ranged from 0.12 to 3.84 microg/m3. Less than 6% of the particles were larger than 4 microm in size, while almost 60% of the particles were below 0.3 microm. These studies are believed to be the first published ambient air data for PFOA in the environment surrounding a manufacturing facility.

Perfluoroalkyl Compounds

“…Berger et al [168] observed PFSAs and PFCAs in the particulate phase of air samples collected in England, at concentrations ranging from nondetectable values (PFUA and PFDoA) to 828 pg/m 3 (PFOA). PFOA was observed at elevated concentrations of 0.1 to 3.84 mg/m 3 in ambient air outside a manufacturing facility [171]. A recent investigation of arctic glacial ice caps that receive contamination solely from the atmosphere also reported the observation of PFNA, PFOA, PFDA, PFUA and PFOS [113].…”

Levels, Isomer Profiles, and Estimated Riverine Mass Discharges of Perfluoroalkyl Acids and Fluorinated Alternatives at the Mouths of Chinese Rivers

“…34 The adjacent Xiaoling River also showed elevated levels of Σ 10 PFAAs (152 ng/L), and the similar composition profiles with a high contribution of PFBS (Figure 3) indicate that this river could be affected by the same fluorine chemical park as Daling River. Potential transport pathways could be atmospheric emissions of fluorinated surfactants from fluoropolymer manufacture 35 or wastewater through drainage channels connecting the rivers.…”

Temporal variations of perfluoroalkyl substances and polybrominated diphenyl ethers in alpine snow

“…Neutral volatile PFASs such as fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs) and perfluoroalkane sulfonamide substances are transported mainly in the gaseous phase and may degrade to less volatile perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) including perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) and perfluoroalkane sulfonic acids (PFSAs) (Schenker et al 2008a, Young andMabury, 2010). These PFAAs can also be directly emitted to the atmosphere by manufacturing processes (Barton et al, 2006) where they are bound onto particles or dissolved in cloud, rain, or fog droplets (Arp and Goss, 2009).…”