The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has been awarded EPA Pollution Prevention (P2) Grants to collaborate with scientific experts and businesses to identify per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in business operations and to reduce or eliminate PFAS entering the environment.
The goal of these projects are to reduce PFAS use through pollution prevention approaches, such as transitioning to products that are PFAS-free or contain less toxic PFAS compounds, and/or by changing operations or practices to minimize PFAS uses or emissions. These projects typically include:
- Identifying the types of PFAS chemicals used in operations.
- Determining how PFAS may be released into the environment.
- Developing strategies to transition away from PFAS chemicals.
What are the benefits from business participation?
- Free training. Learn about the environmental, health and safety concerns associated with PFAS and receive guidance on current PFAS regulations in Vermont and the US. Attend technical trainings to identify methods to reduce PFAS in operations and switch to non-PFAS or less toxic alternatives.
- Free technical assistance. Work with DEC scientists and technical assistance experts to remove PFAS from your wastewater discharge.
- Build your brand. Improve your business’ commitment to socially and environmental responsible practices.
- Join an innovative team. Collaborate with DEC scientists, technical assistance experts, and other participating industries to share project findings and realistic solutions to reduce PFAS in the industrial sector.
2023-2024 P2 Project: Helping Vermont Food Processors Reduce Contamination in Food and Food Waste via Packaging P2 Practices
This project aims to assist Vermont food processors with reducing contamination in food and food residuals via packaging pollution prevention measures. The project has two components: 1) assess PFAS and microplastics in organic wastes that are ultimately used as soil amendments, and 2) collaborate with Vermont food processors to identify and eliminate sources of PFAS in and plastics contamination resulting from food packaging. The project is ongoing.
2021-2022 P2 Project: Aerospace and Metal Finishing Industry Wastewaters
How is the metal finishing industry using PFAS?
PFAS in the metal finishing industry can be associated with:
- Surfactants, dispersants, wetting agents, or fume/mist suppressing agents;
- Corrosion inhibitors or other products to reduce wear, enhance heat resistance, or aesthetic appearance;
- Leveling agents for zinc electrodeposition;
- Electroless plating of nickel/copper and electroplating of copper, nickel, and/or tin.
A major source of PFAS in metal finishing was a PFOS-based mist suppressant used as a control for hexavalent
chromium emissions. By 2002, the primary U.S. manufacturer of PFOS voluntarily phased out production of
PFOS and industry transitioned to other PFAS precursors such as 6:2 fluorotelemer sulfonate (6:2 FTS). However, mist
suppressants and other sources of PFAS are still a concern because precursor compounds can transform to
terminal PFAS through wastewater processes. Furthermore, PFOS is still detected in metal finishing effluent.
How may PFAS enter the environment from industry?
The goal of this project was to characterize and reduce, if possible, the environmental impact and human exposure of these persistent, bioaccumulative, toxic substances when discharged through the sewer to wastewater treatment facilities (WWTFs). When PFAS enters a WWTF through residential and industrial wastewater, the chemicals cannot be removed or destroyed. PFAS largely pass through the WWTF and are either discharged to Vermont lakes and rivers or accumulate in sludge or biosolids.
What were the results of this project?
The project outcomes included:
- Characterization of PFAS contribution to POTWs from all of Vermont’s active businesses engaged in metal finishing.
- Establishing a working cohort of five metal finishing businesses. The cohort researched, identified, developed, and promoted P2 practices and tools to reduce discharges of PFAS from metal finishing businesses.
- Estimating the impact of the P2 practices on POTW wastewater effluent and biosolids quality.
- Providing businesses and stakeholders training on source reduction techniques that can be replicated at businesses state and region wide.
- Ongoing technical assistance and P2 to reduce or eliminate PFAS use at the facility.