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PFAS — Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

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PDF – Full Document
1 Priority Topics (NEW 2026)
1 Priority Topics
1.1 Naming Conventions and Use
1.2 Firefighting Foams
1.3 Fate and Transport
1.4 Human and Ecological Health Effects
1.5 Sampling and Analysis
1.6 Treatment Technologies
1.7 Biosolids
1.8 PFAS and Microplastics
18 Sorption-Based Technologies Guidance (NEW 2026)
2 Naming Conventions and Use
2 PFAS Chemistry and Naming Conventions, History and Use of PFAS, and Sources of PFAS Releases to the Environment overview
2.1 Environmental Significance
2.2 Chemistry, Terminology, and Acronyms
2.3 Emerging Health and Environmental Concerns
2.4 PFAS Reductions and Alternative PFAS Formulations
2.5 PFAS Uses and Products
2.6 PFAS Releases to the Environment
3 Firefighting Foams
3 Firefighting Foams Overview
3.1 Foam Formulations
3.2 AFFF Characteristics
3.3 Mechanisms for Release to the Environment
3.4 AFFF Fate and Transport
3.5 Forensic Analysis of AFFF
3.6 AFFF Procurement and Inventory
3.7 Foam Systems and Operations
3.8 Emergency Firefighting Operations
3.9 Immediate Investigative and Cleanup Actions
3.10 AFFF Disposal
3.11 Firefighting Foam System Replacement
3.12 Federal, State and International Regulations and Guidance
3.13 Foam Research and Development
4 Physical and Chemical Properties
4 Physical and Chemical Properties Overview
4.1 Challenges and Limitations Related to PFAS Physical and Chemical Properties
4.2 Physical Properties
4.3 Chemical Properties
5 Fate and Transport
5 Environmental Fate and Transport Processes Overview
5.1 Fate and Transport Introduction
5.2 Phase Partitioning
5.3 Media-Specific Migration Processes
5.4 Transformations
5.5 PFAS Uptake into Aquatic Organisms
5.6 PFAS Uptake into Plants
6 Occurrence
6 Media-Specific Occurrence Overview
6.1 Air
6.2 Soil, Sediment, and Biosolids
6.3 Groundwater
6.4 Surface Water
6.5 Biota
7 Health Effects
7 Human and Ecological Health Effects of select PFAS Overview
7.1 Human Health Effects
7.2 Ecological Toxicology
8 Basis of Regulations
8 Basis of Regulations Overview
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Regulatory Programs
8.3 Differences in the Available Regulations, Advisories, and Guidance Regulatory
9 Site Risk Assessment
9 Site Risk Assessment Overview
9.1 Human Health Risk Assessment
9.2 Ecological Risk Assessment
9.3 Uncertainty
10 Site Characterization
10 Site Characterization Overview
10.1 Site Characterization Issues Relevant to PFAS
10.2 Initial Steps
10.3 Site Investigation
10.4 Data Analysis and Interpretation
10.5 Forensics and Source Identification
11 Sampling and Analysis
11 Sampling and Analysis Overview
11.1 Sampling
11.2 Analytical Methods/Techniques
11.3 Data Evaluation
11.4 Source Identification
12 Treatment Technologies
12 Treatment Technologies Overview
12.1 Overview
12.2 Field-Implemented Liquids Treatment Technologies
12.3 Field-Implemented Solids Treatment Technologies
12.4 Incineration
12.5 Air Treatment Technologies
12.6 Limited Application and Developing Liquids Treatment Technologies
12.7 Limited Application and Developing Solids Treatment Technologies
12.8 Integrated Water Treatment Solutions
12.9 Sustainability of PFAS Treatment
12.10 Improving Evaluation of PFAS Treatment Technologies
13 Stakeholder Perspectives
13 Stakeholder Perspectives Overview
13.1 Stakeholder Concerns
13.2 Specific Tribal Stakeholder Concerns
13.3 Stakeholder Resources
14 Risk Communication
14 Risk Communication Overview
14.1 Role of Risk Perception: Public Stakeholders and Decision Makers
14.2 Risk Communication Challenges
14.3 Risk Communication Planning and Engagement Tools
15 Case Studies
15 Case Studies Overview
15.1 Site Characterization Case Studies
15.2 Treatment Case Studies
15.3 Risk Assessment Case Study
15.4 Risk Communication Case Studies
15.5 Surface Water Quality Case Studies
16 Surface Water Quality
16 Surface Water Quality
16.1    Introduction
16.2 Protection of Human Health
16.3 Protection of Biota
16.4 Sampling and Analysis
16.5 Surface Water Foam
16.6 Effluent Limits for PFAS
16.7 Surface Water/Groundwater Interaction
17 Additional Information
17 Additional Information Overview
17.1 Additional Information for Media-Specific Occurrence
17.2 Additional Information for Human Health Effects
17.3 Additional Information for Risk Assessment
References
Acronyms
Glossary
Acknowledgments
PFAS Data Tables
PFAS Fact Sheets
PFAS Training Resources

 

PFAS — Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
HOME

PFAS Home Page

This Interstate Technology & Regulatory Council (ITRC) PFAS website is designed to provide a working knowledge of the current state of PFAS science and practice (as of date of publication). This website includes the following resources:

  • PFAS Technical and Regulatory Guidance Document (Web-based Guidance)
    • Priority Topics (January 2026)
    • Sorption-Based Technologies for Separation and Concentration of PFAS from Water  (January 2026) (Full PDF – Coming Soon)
    • Sections 2-17 (September 2023, with small updates January 2026)
    • Case Studies (2020, 2023, January 2026)
  • Data Tables (various dates of last update)
  • Fact Sheets (September 2023)
    • Vapor-forming PFAS and the Vapor Intrusion Pathway (January 2026)
  • Training Resources (various archived webinars)
    • Archived webinars; live classes can be found on the ITRC Training webpage.

As with other emerging contaminants, the evolving understanding of PFAS and the volume of scientific studies makes it difficult for most environmental practitioners to stay current with the critical information about these chemicals. Additionally, public concern about PFAS has created pressure on state and federal agencies to take action, resulting in evolving regulatory approaches and regulatory standards, screening values, and guidance values. Our understanding of PFAS will continue to improve as more scientific research is completed and published.

Note: This website and its contents are for informational purposes only. The content is accurate as of the dates of publication noted and is not regularly updated or maintained. Any references, links, or data contained herein may become outdated over time. ITRC assumes no responsibility for any consequences resulting from the use of outdated or incorrect information. For more information, read the full ITRC Disclaimer at https://pfas-1.itrcweb.org/about-itrc/#disclaimer

Permission is granted to refer to or quote from this publication with the customary acknowledgment of the source. The suggested citation for this document is as follows:

ITRC (Interstate Technology & Regulatory Council). 2026. PFAS Technical and Regulatory Guidance Document and Fact Sheets, PFAS-1. Washington, D.C.: Interstate Technology & Regulatory Council, PFAS Team. https://pfas-1.itrcweb.org/.

Published by the Interstate Technology & Regulatory Council, January 2026

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