National Estimate of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance (PFAS) Release to U.S. Municipal Landfill Leachate

Lang, JR; Allred, BM; Field, JA; Levis, JW; Barlaz, MA

HERO ID

3860763

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2017

Language

English

PMID

28103667

HERO ID 3860763
In Press No
Year 2017
Title National Estimate of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance (PFAS) Release to U.S. Municipal Landfill Leachate
Authors Lang, JR; Allred, BM; Field, JA; Levis, JW; Barlaz, MA
Journal Environmental Science & Technology
Volume 51
Issue 4
Page Numbers 2197-2205
Abstract Landfills are the final stage in the life cycle of many products containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and their presence has been reported in landfill leachate. The concentrations of 70 PFASs in 95 samples of leachate were measured in a survey of U.S. landfills of varying climates and waste ages. National release of PFASs was estimated by coupling measured concentrations for the 19 PFASs where more than 50% of samples had quantifiable concentrations, with climate-specific estimates of annual leachate volumes. For 2013, the total volume of leachate generated in the U.S. was estimated to be 61.1 million m(3), with 79% of this volume coming from landfills in wet climates (>75 cm/yr precipitation) that contain 47% of U.S. solid waste. The mass of measured PFASs from U.S. landfill leachate to wastewater treatment plants was estimated to be between 563 and 638 kg for 2013. In the majority of landfill leachate samples, 5:3 fluorotelomer carboxylic acid (FTCA) was dominant and variations in concentrations with waste age affected total estimated mass. There were six PFASs that demonstrated significantly higher concentrations in leachate from younger waste compared to older waste and six PFAS demonstrated significant variation with climate.
Doi 10.1021/acs.est.6b05005
Pmid 28103667
Wosid WOS:000394724300034
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English