15 Case Studies

Currently the PFAS team has identified case studies supporting the following sections:

• Section 10 Site Characterization
• Section 12 Treatment Technologies
• Section 9 Risk Assessment
• Section 14 Risk Communication

15.1 Site Characterization Case Studies

15.1.1 Case Study—Data Visualization at an AFFF Release Site

McGuire et al. (2014) and McGuire (2013) presented a detailed characterization of a subset of PFAS soil and groundwater concentrations, focused on PFAAs  in the vicinity of a former unlined burn pit where fire training activities were conducted up to 1990. Data presented in McGuire et al. (2014) were used for this visualization example. For brevity, this example shows relative concentration trends between shallow and deep soil samples collected at six borings where total PFAA concentrations exceeded 5,000 ug/Kg in shallow soil. The inset map in the top left of Figure 15-1 shows the former burn pit location, as well as the locations of these six borings (S-2, S-4, S-5, S-6, S-7, and S-10). Shallow soil samples were collected at a depth of approximately 2 ft below ground surface (ft bgs) (0.61 m), and the deep soil samples were collected at the water table, which is approximately 15–20 ft bgs (4.6–6.1 m) on average.

Figure 15-1. Comparison of shallow and deep soil samples at an AFFF release site.
Source: G. Carey, Porewater Solutions. Used with permission.

The bar chart in Figure 15-1a compares concentrations of shallow and deep soil concentrations for total PFAAs at these six boreholes and clearly demonstrates that shallow PFAA soil concentrations are much higher than deeper soil concentrations at the water table. This figure indicates that there is likely attenuation that limits vertical migration of PFAAs. McGuire (2013) attributed this to the high clay content of vadose zone soils, and high VOCs and TOC in this area, which may enhance retardation.

A different type of bar chart is shown in Figure 15-1b to illustrate the composition of the main PFAA constituents in shallow soil samples (PFHxS, PFOS, PFHxA, PFOA). Review of Figure 15-1b reveals the following trends:

• In three of the six boring locations, PFOS is greater than 95% of total PFAA concentrations in shallow soil.
• In the other three borings, PFOS is less than 50% of total PFAAs. These borings have higher relative concentrations of PFHxS, PFHxA, and PFOA.
• PFHxS, PFOS, PFHxA, and PFOA combined represent at least 80% of total PFAA concentrations in shallow soil.

The difference in PFOS composition shown in Figure 15-1b suggests that some borings were drilled in an area that was influenced by a mixture of different AFFF products, whereas other borings with a high proportion of PFOS may be influenced primarily by AFFF produced using electrochemical fluorination.

Figure 15-1c shows the same type of bar chart with relative percent of total PFAA concentrations for the deeper soil samples collected at the water table. Comparison of Figures 15-1b and 15-1c indicates that there is a clear difference in PFAA composition between the shallow and deep soil samples. PFOS is very low in terms of relative concentrations in deep soil samples, compared to the shallow soil samples where PFOS makes up a higher proportion of the total PFAA concentration. This may be due to enhanced retardation of PFOS in the vadose zone relative to the other compounds (PFHxS, PFHxA, and PFOA), which is consistent with the relative site-specific K_oc values determined by McGuire et al. (2014). In addition, Figure 15-1c shows that these four compounds typically represent only around 50% of total PFAA concentrations in the deep samples, which suggests that shorter chain compounds are more prevalent at the water table and in underlying groundwater, most likely due to precursor transformations.

Radial diagrams may also be used as visual aids to illustrate spatial and/or temporal trends for individual PFAS constituents or total concentrations for various PFAS groups. As an example, Figure 15-2 presents a radial diagram map showing trends for various PFSAs (PFOS, PFHxS, PFBS) as well as perfluorohexane sulfonamide FHxSA, which is a precursor to PFHxS. The radial diagram legend in the top right portion of Figure 15-2 shows that the four axes are arranged in order of FHxSA, PFOS, PFHxS, and PFBS. There are two data series shown on the radial diagram legend: (1) the blue-filled data series, which represents PFAS constituent concentrations at monitoring well location; and (2) a darker blue outline that represents maximum source concentrations at well GW13, which is situated directly adjacent to the former burn pit area. This latter data series is a reference and is the same at all monitoring well radial diagrams. Including this reference data series makes it easier to visualize changes in concentrations throughout the plume. The radial diagram legend also shows how symbols may be plotted to represent where constituents were not detected in a groundwater sample. Another option for radial diagram symbols is to indicate where concentrations are above groundwater cleanup criteria at each well location (not shown). The compound axes are logarithmic in this example, to allow for visualization of order of magnitude concentrations between wells, or between compounds at any one well location.

Figure 15-2. Radial diagrams illustrating PFSA trends at an AFFF release site.
Source: G. Carey, Porewater Solutions. Used with permission.

Groundwater flow in this area is generally to the south/southeast. The main radial diagram map shown in Figure 15-2 facilitates an analysis of how concentrations for these four constituents vary along the groundwater flow path downgradient from the former burn pit area, and how concentrations vary across the width of the plume. For example, the radial diagram shown at GW01, which is located inside the footprint of the former burn pit, indicates that concentrations of the longer chain compounds (FHxSA and PFOS) are similar to those in the nearby well at GW13, whereas PFHxS and PFBS are about an order of magnitude lower at GW01 then GW13. The radial diagrams also clearly show that groundwater downgradient of the DO infusion wells (triangle symbols) has low to non-detect FHxSA, indicating that aerobic transformation of this precursor has occurred downgradient of these infusion wells (Section 10.4.4).

Although not shown with this case study, radial diagrams are also helpful for visualizing redox indicator trends, to confirm whether redox conditions are favorable for the transformation of precursors to PFAAs. Examples of a modified radial diagram method used for redox zone delineation are presented in Carey et al. (1999) and Carey et al. (2003).

15.1.2 Case Study—Application of Radial Diagrams

Figure 15-3 presents another type of application of radial diagrams for visualizing certain PFAS trends, in this case for an aquifer contaminated with PFAS from several fire training areas in the vicinity of Uppsala, Sweden. The blue outlines shown in Figure 15-3 represent the boundaries of eskers (deposits formed by streams flowing beneath a glacier), which essentially act to channel groundwater flow in the aquifer. The legend shown on Figure 15-3 indicates that the four axes of the radial diagram now represent concentrations of 6:2 FTS (which dominates the other FTSs), total PFCAs, total PFSAs, and total concentrations of other chemical-specific precursors. Symbols are shown to represent non-detects at each well location. Groundwater flow in the main aquifer channel is from northwest to southeast (parallel to the river channel) and is to the west in the inset box shown in the bottom center of Figure 15-3.

Figure 15-3. PFAS composition in groundwater.
Source: G. Carey, Porewater Solutions. Used with permission.

Examples of trends that are evident based on the radial diagram map (Figure 15-3) include:

• All chemical-specific precursors are nondetect in the main aquifer channel, indicating that precursors were effectively attenuated closer to the fire training areas.
• PFSA and PFCA concentrations appear to be declining along the main flow channel (for example, downgradient of G8 and G9.
• Concentrations of precursors in the vicinity of the fire training areas shown in the inset map are much higher than in the main groundwater flow channel. This indicates that precursors may be attenuating prior to reaching the main flow channel in this area, due to sorption, biotransformation, and/or possibly discharge to the nearby creek.
• The combination of elevated PFCAs and PFSAs, as well as high 6:2 FtS near at least two of the fire training areas, indicates that AFFFs produced using telomerization were used at one point at some of these fire training areas.

15.2 Treatment Case Studies

Several well-developed technology case studies are presented in the following sections. Additional information on other water treatment case studies is summarized in Table 15-1 provided as a separate Excel file.

15.2.1 Granular Activated Carbon (GAC)

Case Study: Granular Activated Carbon System—Oakdale, Minnesota (Contributed by Virginia Yingling, Minnesota Department of Health, used with permission)

Background

Oakdale is a suburban community located east of St. Paul, Minnesota, with a population of approximately 28,000. Prior to state or federal laws regulating such waste disposal, industrial wastes from a PFAS manufacturer were disposed of in a privately operated 55-acre unlined dumpsite (Oakdale Disposal Site, 1940–1960) and in the Washington County Landfill, a permitted 40-acre unlined municipal landfill in Lake Elmo, Minnesota (1969–1975). In 2005, PFAS were detected in six of the eight operating Oakdale city drinking water supply wells.

Eight PFAS have been detected in groundwater associated with these sites, with PFBA, PFHxS, PFOA, and PFOS being present at the highest concentrations. PFAS have also contaminated a stream that drains the wetlands that comprise part of the Oakdale Disposal Site and PFAS re-infiltration has contributed to groundwater contamination in areas not immediately downgradient of the waste disposal sites. Both sites underwent remedial activities in the 1980 to address industrial solvents and in 2009–2011 to address PFAS. These actions included soil and waste excavation with on- and off-site encapsulation, and groundwater pump and treat (GAC) for hydraulic containment.

The regional groundwater flow direction at both sites is to the south-southwest toward the Mississippi River, approximately 8 miles away. The primary source for PFAS impacts to groundwater appears to be the Oakdale Disposal Site, but the Washington County Landfill may have contributed to the contamination in the easternmost city wells.

Water Characteristics

The maximum concentrations detected to date in the city wells are shown in Table 15-2 along with the relevant Minnesota health-based guidance values for PFAS in drinking water.

Table 15-2. Maximum concentrations of PFAS in drinking water from Oakdale city wells.

Chemical	Maximum Concentration Detected in Any Oakdale City Well (µg/L)	Minnesota Department of Health’s Health-Based Guidance Value (µg/L)
PFBA	2.15	7
PFBS	0.136	3 (acute), 2 (chronic, subchronic)
PFPeA	0.176	None established
PFHxA	0.382	None established
PFHxS	0.142	0.047
PFOA	0.871	0.035
PFOS	1.38	0.015
NOTE: All concentrations reported as of August 2019 and guidance values reported are as of December 2019.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), City of Oakdale, and the chemical manufacturer agreed to address the situation by constructing a GAC treatment plant to treat the water from the two most highly contaminated wells. In addition, the city shut off one well and drilled a replacement well north of the contaminated area. Other wells with PFAS detections are used seasonally and to maintain pressure throughout the distribution system, but the pumping schedule is managed to ensure PFAS remain below MDH guidance values in the water delivered to the community. This includes meeting the MDH’s Health Risk Index, which is a toxic equivalency quotient (TEQ)-like assessment of the additive toxicity of multiple PFAS.

Treatment Technology Design Details

The GAC treatment facility (Figure 15-4) began operations in October 2006. It consists of ten filter vessels (each containing 20,000 lbs. of GAC) set up in five parallel lead-lag pairs (shown below) housed in a 7,000 ft² facility. The system treats 2,500 gallons per minute with a minimum empty bed contact time (EBCT) of 10 minutes per vessel. The water is combined back into one stream, chlorinated and fluoridated to meet state and federal standards, and then piped to the distribution system.

Figure 15-4. GAC treatment system, Oakdale, MN.
Source: Courtesy of the Minnesota Department of Health.

System Performance

The city and MDH monitor the PFAS concentrations in the influent, lead vessel effluent (that is, between vessels), and post–treatment facility effluent (Figures 15-5 and 15-6). Monitoring currently occurs quarterly for the first three quarters following GAC change-out and monthly in the final quarter prior to change-out.

The GAC is changed out approximately every 12 months to prevent breakthrough of any PFAS above MDH guidance values. GAC change-out may involve a complete replacement of all GAC or just the lead vessel GAC and change of flow to make the former lag vessel the new lead vessel. This will depend on the effluent concentrations at the time of change-out. Initial removal rates are 100% (below analytical limit of detection) for all seven PFAS analyzed (PFBA, PFPeA, PFHxA, PFOA, PFBS, PFHxS, PFOS).

Breakthrough order follows the expected sequence of shorter chain and PFCAs preceding longer chain and PFSAs. PFBA breakthrough of the full system typically occurs within 2 months after a complete GAC replacement, but because the influent PFBA does not exceed its health-based guidance value of 7 µg/L, this does not pose a health risk and does not trigger any response actions. Interestingly, PFBA effluent concentrations eventually exceed influent concentrations, presumably due to PFBA desorbing in the presence of more readily sorbed, longer chain PFAS. As shown in the graphs below, PFOS has broken through the full system only once (2012; max effluent concentration = 0.019 µg/L) and PFOA has broken through only four times (2010, 2012, 2015, 2018; max effluent concentration = 0.086 µg/L). At no time did any PFAS exceed the then-current health-based guidance values.

Figure 15-5. Influent and effluent concentrations for PFOS.
Source: Courtesy of the Minnesota Department of Health.

 

Figure 15-6. Influent and effluent concentrations for PFOA.
Source: Courtesy of the Minnesota Department of Health.

Costs

Capital costs for the GAC treatment facility were approximately $2.5 million. Annual operation and maintenance (O&M) costs, including sampling and GAC change-out, are approximately $250,000.

15.2.2 Ion Exchange (IX) Resins

Ion exchange resins can be utilized as single-use, where the media is disposed when it has reached the limit of its sorptive capacity, or regenerable, where the resin is regenerated and reused indefinitely (theoretically). The following two case studies outline field applications for these two related technologies.

15.2.2.1 Single-Use IX

Case Study: Horsham Township, Pennsylvania (Contributed by Francis Boodoo, Purolite Corporation, used with permission)

Background

The township of Horsham, Pennsylvania, located close to an AFFF release site, supplies drinking water to 7,800 residential, commercial, and industrial customers using 15 deep water wells. In 2014, five of the wells were confirmed to be impacted with PFAS. PFOS and PFOA were found in two wells at concentrations approaching the USEPA 2009 provisional health advisories (HAs) of 200 ppt and 400 ppt, respectively. These wells were immediately taken out of service. In June 2016, one month after EPA issued final HAs of 70 ppt for the combined concentrations of PFOS and PFOA, three more wells were removed from service due to elevated concentrations. The township began purchasing supplemental water from a nearby water supplier and began installing GAC filters to remediate and return the five impacted wells to service. Responding to consumer concerns, the township adopted an aggressive removal plan to reduce average PFOS/PFOA concentrations to less than 1 ppt (essentially to nondetect levels) in its entire water system by the end of 2016.

In addition to GAC filtration, the township started up a 50-gallon-per-minute selective ion exchange (IX) resin pilot in November 2016 on Well 10 to evaluate the performance of the resin in consistently reducing PFOS/PFOA to nondetect levels. A temporary 1-year permit was obtained from Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) to install the resin pilot downstream of an existing GAC pilot that had been started up 20 days earlier. This was the first permit issued by the state of Pennsylvania for treating PFAS in drinking water using ion exchange resin.

Influent Water Characteristics

Influent concentration of a total of seven PFAS during the test period from November 2016 to August 2018 was an average of 103 ppt, a minimum of 78 ppt, and a maximum of 147 ppt. Individual PFAS concentrations are shown in Table 15-3. Average influent values for PFOS and PFOA were 34.1 and 20 ppt, respectively, somewhat lower than USEPA’s 70 ppt combined 2016 HA. Other influent geochemical parameters included sulfate at 8–23 ppm, nitrate at 10–11 ppm, alkalinity at 148–232 ppm, chloride at 35–50 ppm, pH at approximately 7.5, TDS at 296–358 ppm, suspended solids at 0.5–0.6 ppm, TOC at 0.2 ppm, and one sample detection for 1,1-dichloroethane at 37 ppt.

Table 15-3. Influent PFAS Characteristics of Well 10 *

	nanograms per liter (ng/L) (or parts per trillion (ppt))
	PFBS	PFHpA	PFHxS	PFHxA	PFNA	PFOS	PFOA	Total PFAS
Lab Detection Level	1	1	2	1	2	2	1
Minimum	6	4	17	6		27	13	78
Average	9	5	28	9		34	20	103
Maximum	14	8	41	13	2	48	40	147
* PFBS =perfluorobutanesulfonate; PFHpA = perfluoroheptanoate; PFHxA = perfluorohexanesulfonate; PFHxA = perfluorohexanoate; PFNA = perfluorononanoate, PFOS = perfluorooctanesulfonate, PFOA = perfluorooctanoate, PFAS = total poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances

Treatment Technology Design Details: GAC and Ion Exchange System

Well 10, with a peak design flow rate of 100 gpm, was used for large-scale piloting at a reduced flow rate of 50 gpm under the terms of the permit from PA DEP. The water was first passed through a 20-micron suspended solids filter, then in series through two 2.5-ft diameter stainless steel vessels, each vessel containing 20 cubic feet of bituminous GAC. EBCT for each charge of GAC amounted to 2.8 minutes or a total of 5.6 minutes for the two GAC vessels; linear velocity was approximately 10 gpm/ft². The township recognized that EBCT was lower than the 10–20 minutes specified in the PA Public Water Supply design manual and that linear velocity, even though it complied with the PWS, was higher than the typical 4 gpm/ft² used for GAC; however, the township and PA DEP considered the design acceptable for the low levels of PFAS measured and for the temporary nature of the pilot. After initial treatment by the GAC pilot, the water was passed through a 2.5-ft diameter vessel containing 20 cubic feet of Purolite Purofine PFA694E selective resin. Bed depths for both the GAC and resin media were approximately 34 inches. Sampling points were installed on the outlet of each vessel. An extra sampling point was installed in the resin polishing vessel at two-thirds of the resin bed depth. This allowed monitoring corresponding to EBCT of 1.8 minutes at the two-thirds sampling point and 2.8 minutes EBCT for the entire resin bed. The two-thirds sampling point would provide advanced notice of PFAS breakthrough.

System Performance

The entire system became operational on November 29, 2016. PFOS and PFOA sampled at the two-thirds point of the resin bed remained consistently at nondetect levels until rising to 2.6 ppt on day 394 and 4 ppt on day 472 (see Figure 15-7). For reporting purposes, the township decided to use a minimum reporting level of 2.5 ppt for each of PFOS and PFOA; values below the minimum reporting level would be considered nondetect. Once the PFOA concentration reached 2.6 ppt at the two-thirds sampling point for the resin, the treated water was diverted to the local sanitary sewer in keeping with the PA DEP permit. PA DEP has since granted permission to bypass the GAC system to enable performance evaluation of just the resin.

On day 514, with permission from PA DEP, the two GAC vessels were taken out of service while the raw water was routed directly to the resin vessel, which continued to operate. In this way, the performance of the resin could be evaluated without pretreating with the GAC. The resin operated for 639 days before PFOA was detected at a concentration of 2 ng/L of PFOA in an effluent sample from the resin bed. At that point the concentrations of PFBS, PFHxS, and PFOS were still at nondetect levels. Operating capacity of the resin at that point was equivalent to treating 511,000 bed volumes (BVs) of water based on two-thirds of the resin volume, or 329,000 BV based on the entire volume of resin.

Following successful and consistent performance of the resin-only system, PA DEP has issued an operating permit for use of resin only in a pair of lead-lag ion exchange vessels. Similar permits have also been issued at neighboring townships.

Figure 15-7. Combined PFOS/PFOA breakthrough.
Source: F. Boodoo, Purolite Corporation. Used with permission.

Even though PFOS and PFOA were the initial targets for reduction, consistent reduction of other short- and long-chain PFAS to nondetect levels was also achieved after passage through the resin. For conciseness, only total PFAS breakthrough graphs are shown in Figure 15-8, but the order of breakthrough observed was PFHxA < PFHpA < PFOA < PFNA < PFBS < PFHxS < PFOS.

Figure 15-8. Combined breakthrough of total PFAS.
Source: F. Boodoo, Purolite Corporation. Used with permission.

Costs

The proposed permanent full-scale system is designed for a peak flow rate of 100 gpm with a pair of lead-lag vessels for the media. Design for ion exchange will include one 20-micron cartridge filter followed by two 4-ft diameter vessels with resin bed depth of 36 inches and EBCT of 2.8 minutes. Design for GAC will be one 20-micron cartridge filter followed by two 6-ft diameter vessels with GAC bed depth of 60 inches and EBCT of 10.6 minutes.

Annual operating cost, including replacement media, labor, trucking, spent media profiling, and incineration, is estimated at approximately $8,000 and $15,000, respectively, for ion exchange and GAC. These estimates are based on a very conservative operating capacity estimate of 350,000 BVs for a lead-lag pair of resin vessels; a generous capacity of 34,000 BVs is assumed for the GAC system. Operating costs are estimated at $0.16 and $0.29 per 1,000 gallons of water treated by the resin and GAC systems, respectively. Larger vessels needed for the GAC system will further add to the cost of using GAC versus the PFAS-selective resin.

15.2.2.2 Regenerable IX

Case Study: Regenerable Ion Exchange Resin Pilot Test and Full-Scale Application (Contributed by Steve Woodard, ECT2, and Nathan Hagelin, Wood Group, used with permission)

Background

The Air Force Civil Engineering Center (AFCEC) is conducting ongoing response activities to remove and remediate groundwater impacted by poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at the former air force base in New Hampshire. The two primary PFAS found at the site are perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), at combined concentrations (PFOA+PFOS) above the 2016 USEPA lifetime health advisory (LHA) of 0.07 micrograms per liter (µg/l). In 2015, the USEPA issued an administrative order to establish maximum hydraulic containment of PFAS compounds to reduce source zone mass and mitigate migration of PFAS compounds to off-site receptors.

AFCEC responded by contracting with Wood Group, PLC, to conduct a side-by-side pilot test in 2016, comparing the performance of Emerging Compound Treatment Technologies’ (ECT2) regenerable ion exchange (IX) resin and bituminous GAC. The resin outperformed GAC and was selected for full-scale implementation, mainly on its life cycle cost advantages, as determined by the results of the pilot study.

To evaluate the resin’s ability to be regenerated, regeneration trials were conducted throughout the pilot test using a proprietary regeneration procedure with a solution of organic solvent and brine. Overall, PFAS removal results for the regenerated resin were consistent with new resin, as shown in Figure 15-9. Extended follow-on pilot testing utilized multicycling to confirm the effectiveness of the regeneration procedure to restore the resin’s PFAS removal capacity. The regenerable resin system was selected for full-scale application, based on system performance and a favorable life cycle cost comparison.

Figure 15-9. Postregeneration breakthrough curve (total PFAS).
Source: Steve Woodard, ECT2, and Nathan Hagelin, Wood Group, PLC. Used with permission.

Influent Water Characteristics

Table 15-4 provides a summary of influent PFAS concentrations observed throughout the pilot test. Total PFAS concentrations ranged from 65 to 112 µg/l, with an average of 94 µg/l. Average influent concentrations for PFOS and PFOA were 26 and 12 µg/l, respectively. Influent general chemistry parameters included pH of 6.8, alkalinity of 115 milligrams per liter (mg/l), TDS of 230 mg/l, total suspended solids of less than 2 to 5.6 mg/l, sulfate of 17 mg/l, TOC of 4.5 mg/l, and chloride ranging from 30 to 250 mg/l.

Table 15-4. Influent PFAS Concentrations

		Influent Concentration Observed During Pilot Test (µg/L)
Analyte	Analyte Acronym	Low	High	Average
6:2 Fluorotelemer sulfonate	6:2 FTS	15	22	18
8:2 Fluorotelemer sulfonate	8:2 FTS	0.055	0.3	0.23
Perfluorobutane sulfonate	PFBS	0.81	1.3	1.1
Perfluorobutanoic acid	PFBA	0.89	2.1	1.3
Perfluoroheptane sulfonate	PFHpS	0.85	1.4	1.1
Perfluoroheptanoic acid	PFHpA	1.6	2.2	1.9
Perfluorohexane sulfonate	PFHxS	18	25	22
Perfluorohexanoic acid	PFHxA	5.9	8.9	7.7
Perfluorooctanoic acid	PFOA	9.1	13	12
Perfluoronananoic acid	PFNA	0.046	0.082	0.054
Perfluorooctane sulfonate	PFOS	4.2	32	26
Perfluoropentanoic acid	PFPeA	3.1	5.1	4.2
Sum of PFAS	–	65	112	94

Treatment Technology Design Details for Full-Scale System

The permanent full-scale resin system was designed for a maximum flow rate of 200 gpm (0.76 m³/min), with influent total PFAS concentrations of approximately 90 µg/l. The primary project objective was to consistently produce treated water with combined PFOS plus PFOA concentrations below the 2016 USEPA lifetime health advisory (LHA) of 0.07 micrograms per liter (µg/l). The full-scale IX resin system was installed between fall 2017 and spring 2018, and the system officially commenced operation in April 2018.

Figure 15-10 shows a process flow diagram of the treatment system. The pretreatment portion includes bag filters to remove suspended solids and 6000-lb backwashable liquid GAC pretreatment filter to remove iron. The PFAS removal system consists of two parallel trains of lead-lag regenerable IX resin vessels, each 86″ tall x 36″ diameter, packed with 49 cubic feet of ECT’s SORBIX A3F regenerable resin. These vessels are designed to operate up-flow during normal operation, and down-flow during regeneration. Two parallel, 86″ tall x 36″ diameter polish vessels are filled with IX resin for PFAS polishing, including short chains. The polish vessels operate in the down-flow mode and contain a blend of IX resins tailored to the general water chemistry and PFAS species and their relative concentrations.

Figure 15-10. Block flow diagram of full-scale treatment system.
Source: Steve Woodard, ECT2, and Nathan Hagelin, Wood Group, PLC. Used with permission.

The in-vessel regeneration system (Figures 15-11 and 15-12) consists of a regenerant solution holding tank and pump skid. The regenerant solution is a mixture of organic solvent and brine, which effectively strips PFAS from the IX resin and then flows into a spent regenerant holding tank. The spent regenerant is recycled for reuse in the next regeneration cycle by using a distillation and super-loading process. First, the spent regenerant is transferred to a solvent recovery unit. Solvent makes up the majority of the regenerant solution and is recovered through distillation, given its low boiling point relative to water, and transferred to the regenerant supply tank for reuse in the next regeneration cycle. The remaining distillate residue, known as the “still bottoms,” is a low-volume, high PFAS concentration brine solution. The still bottoms are pumped through super-loader vessels that contain a proprietary resin blend, transferring the PFAS mass onto the super-loaded media. Super-loading is the process by which a relatively small volume of highly concentrated PFAS solution is passed very slowly through a small volume of media. The long EBCT approaches equilibrium (isotherm) conditions, thereby maximizing PFAS mass transfer onto the media and minimizing the amount of solid waste requiring disposal or incineration.

Figure 15-11. Regenerable and polish IX resin vessel skids.
Source: Steve Woodard, ECT2, and Nathan Hagelin, Wood Group, PLC. Used with permission.

 

Figure 15-12. Resin regeneration system.
Source: Steve Woodard, ECT2, and Nathan Hagelin, Wood Group, PLC. Used with permission

System Performance

The PFAS remediation system has been successfully treating the groundwater since system start-up in April (Figure 15-13). Through December 2018, the effluent water quality from the IX resin system has been consistently nondetect for the monitored PFAS compounds, including the short-chain species, readily achieving compliance with the treatment objective of 0.70 µg/l LHA target for PFOS and PFOA. Although 6:2 FTS has not been detected in samples collected from the IX vessel effluent, it has been detected in the system effluent and is believed to be the result of transformation processes that are not yet understood.

Figure 15-13. Influent and treated effluent total PFAS concentrations.
Source: Steve Woodard, ECT2, and Nathan Hagelin, Wood Group, used with permission

The system has been operated in the 35- to 70-gpm range since start-up, somewhat less than the design flow rate. This has been done to accommodate higher than anticipated influent iron concentrations that have resulted in the requirement for frequent bag filter change-outs. The resulting extended EBCTs in both the backwashable GAC pretreatment vessel and the IX resin vessels have resulted in better than projected PFAS removals. Also, the resin regeneration schedule has been modified to accommodate the lower flow rate by removing one of the two parallel trains from service. This has allowed the resin vessels to be loaded closer to design values. Four resin regenerations have been performed successfully through December 2018; however, the IX media regenerated through December 2018 was not loaded to the full design capacity due to the reduced flow during early operation. Operational modifications have been made to address and correct minor challenges with the distillation system, and regenerant recovery and super-loading processes have proven successful. The original super-loading media is still operational, having removed and concentrated greater than 99.99% of the recovered PFAS mass; therefore, no PFAS waste has needed to be hauled off site to date.

Costs

The capital cost for the regenerable IX was $2.9M for all treatment equipment, process piping, pumps, instrumentation, and system electrical. It does not include project management, construction management, the extraction network and field piping, or the building and building mechanical or electrical systems.

15.3 Risk Assessment Case Study

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Division of Science, Research, and Environmental Health conducted an initial assessment of PFAS impacts at a select group of surface water bodies in New Jersey (NJDEP 2018) (Figure 15-14). The results of fish tissue sampling from each site were used in a risk assessment methodology to determine the need for fish consumption advisories for PFAS in each of those water bodies.

Figure 15-14. Map of water bodies included in NJDEP fish tissue study.

Overall, fish tissue samples from up to 12 different species were collected from 11 specific water bodies throughout the state. The water bodies were selected for sampling based upon their location relative to possible PFAS sources and the likelihood that they could be used for recreational fishing. Samples were analyzed for 13 PFAS (PFBA, PFPeA, PFHxA, PFHpA, PFOA, PFNA, PFDA, PFUnA, PFDoA, PFBS, PFHxS, PFOS, and PFOSA), and as presented in Figure 15-15, the results indicated that the predominant PFAS detected in the fish tissues was PFOS.

Figure 15-15. Fish tissue sampling results. Average concentration detected per species.
Data from NJDEP (2018).

Using the noncancer oral reference doses (RfDs) New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection derived for PFOA [2 ng/kg-day; (NJDWQI 2017)], PFOS [1.8 ng/kg-day; (NJDWQI, 2018)], and PFNA [0.74 ng/kg-day; (NJDWQI 2015)], and generic conservative assumptions regarding fish consumption exposure, NJDEP derived risk-based advisory triggers for each of these compounds based upon different fish consumption frequencies specifically, once/day, once/week, once/month, once/3 months, once/year.

The following equation was used to derive their risk-based triggers (which are presented in Figure 15-16):

where

– C_fish is the risk-based fish concentration (ng/g)

– HQ is the target hazard quotient = 1 (unitless)

– M is the number of meals during the exposure period

– CR is the fish consumption rate (g/meal) = 8 oz/meal (227 gram/meal)

– BW is the body weight (kg) = 70 kg

– RfD is the chemical-specific oral reference dose (ng/kg-day)

– AT_nc is the noncancer averaging time (days)

Figure 15-16. Risk-based fish advisory triggers.
Data from NJDEP (2018).

Because of concerns associated with the potential developmental health effects associated with these chemicals and given a lack of acute toxicity values for these compounds, NJDEP did not recommend advisory levels for the once/3 months and once/year exposure frequencies for high risj populations (young children, pregnant and lactating women, women of childbearing age), and the once/month value is the least frequent consumption category recommended for these  high risk populations.

A comparison of the derived risk-based advisory levels with the measured concentrations in fish tissue samples from each of these waterways resulted in NJDEP recommending the following fish consumption advisories for the general population (Figure 15-17).

Figure 15-17. NJDEP fish advisories for general population.
Data from NJDEP (2018).

15.4 Risk Communication Case Studies

15.4.1 Little Hocking Water Association (LHWA), Ohio

The communication and community participation strategy used for residents served by the Little Hocking Water Association (LHWA) in southwest Ohio produced effective results in motivating actions by individuals, government, and industry which led to a significant, measurable reduction in residents’ blood PFOA levels.

A community-first strategy was implemented at the Little Hocking, Ohio, site to effectively communicate scientific results and findings in a manner that embodies the principles of community-based participatory research (CBPR). This type of strategy combines scientific methodology with community capacity-building strategies to address the disparities and power imbalances among stakeholder groups (business owners, residents, regulatory, and responsible party). If properly implemented, CBPR can result in trust rebuilding, management of environmental justice matters, empowerment to those affected by providing information for informed action, and improved research and data collection (Viswanathan et al. 2004; Hartwig, Calleson, and Williams 2006; O’Fallon, Tyson, and Dearry 2000; Executive Order 12898 1994). The following is a case study summary of the Little Hocking, Ohio, site (Emmett et al. 2006; Emmett et al. 2009; Emmett and Desai 2010).

15.4.1.1 Site Description

The LHWA is a rural water authority that serves several small communities with a total population of approximately 12,000 residents in 4,000 households. The reticulation system extends around 25 miles into Ohio from Little Hocking, a small rural community along the Ohio River in Washington County, Appalachian Ohio. Based on the 2010 U.S. Census, the total population of Little Hocking was 263, predominately Caucasian, majority between the ages of 18–64 years, and 21.5% of individuals live below the poverty level. The water intake wells for the LHWA are located directly across the Ohio River from a Teflon production plant that used ammonium perfluorooctanoate (APFO, the ammonium salt of PFOA). This plant was physically located in West Virginia; therefore, the enforcement and regulation of the plant and its emissions fell to the West Virginia agencies.

Since the 1950, the plant was known to historically release APFO into the air and water and to dispose of byproducts containing APFO in local landfills (WV DEP 2002). APFO readily converts to its anionic form, PFOA, in the environment. When tested in 2001 and 2002, the LHWA source wells had levels ranging from 0.855 ppb to 7.69 ppb. Community concerns were raised because PFOA detections in the water supply were considerably higher than any reported PWS in the United States at the time. Prior to the study summarized here, there was no information about the sources of PFOA that was being detected in human blood in widespread locations. In the absence of this information, the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection convened the C-8 Assessment of Toxicity Team, and developed a health protective screening level for water at 150 ppb. In addition, an interim action level of 14 ppb was established by a USEPA Consent Order with the responsible party. In August 2002, groundwater borings advanced in the LHWA well field contained PFOA concentrations up to 78 ppb. A class action suit was initiated, and distrust increased among the affected community and both the government and responsible party.

To investigate community concerns about potential PFOA contamination of residents in the LHWA district, a partnership was formed between the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, a local health provider, and the Decatur Community Association, made up of residents living within the LHWA district. The partnership obtained an environmental justice research grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. The research was designed to engage the affected community on all aspects of the study to determine (1) whether blood PFOA levels were elevated in the community, compared with Philadelphia residents and with published population values; (2) if blood PFOA levels were elevated, was the source air, water, or some other combination of exposures; and (3) if levels were elevated, were there changes in certain biomarkers of potential toxic effects.

A community advisory committee (CAC) was formed with local residents served by the water supply, local physicians, state and federal government representatives, a health researcher, and a school system representative. A community project coordinator was employed as a communication enabler. The CAC met quarterly and all meetings were open to the public with the only participation restrictions being that the attorneys and plant representatives were not permitted to take part in the discussions. Community advice was particularly sought as to which scientific questions to address, development and wording of questionnaires, communications with residents, and citizen concerns. The CAC utilized newsletters to keep local residents and other stakeholders informed. These newsletters and CAC meeting minutes were posted on a CAC study website.

The study team collected blood serum PFOA, hematologic and biochemical biomarkers, a questionnaire to obtain information on demographic and occupational information, and health conditions from a stratified random sample of residents in the LHWA reticulation area. The median blood PFOA levels for residents were approximately 80 times those of the general population and similar to levels reported for production workers at the fluoropolymer facility. PFOA levels were higher in children and the elderly. Residents using LHWA water who worked in production areas of the plant had PFOA levels that reflected additive effects from both exposure pathways. Residents who primarily used well water for domestic purposes had PFOA levels that correlated with the PFOA concentration in well water. No impact was seen from living in areas with higher estimated air levels.

15.4.1.2 Community-First Communication Strategy

After data had been collected from participants, but before any results were available, the CAC discussed and developed a communication strategy. For this purpose, the CAC developed a set of general principles for communication and a list of priority targets representing the community’s preferred order for communication of results:

LHWA Residents’ General Principles for Communications, from Emmett and Desai (2010) and Emmett et al. (2009).

• Results should be released promptly, but not before the investigators are comfortable in doing so.
• Individual participants should receive their results first to avoid participants first learning study results from the press, neighbors, or friends.
• The press should be informed in a manner that is both timely and allows the investigators to control the message as much as possible.
• The study must remain a credible source of information.
• Communications should maximize constructive responses to the findings.
• Communications should minimize pointless concern.
• Questions from individuals should be answered promptly.

LHWA District Residents’ List of Priority Targets for Communication of Results, from Emmett et al. (2009).

• study participants and community (residents of the water district)
• community advisory committee
• relevant authorities and representatives (county and state health departments, state Department of Environmental Protection, local water authorities, state and federal elected government representatives for the area, local townships, sheriffs’ departments, USEPA)
• local medical providers
• local media
• national media, as necessary.

Once the general principles of engagement were established, the CAC developed a communication strategy and plan. The CAC determined that the strategy required multiple modes of engagement that enforced consistent simple messages and consideration of careful timing to mitigate development of inaccurate perception of risk and management strategies. The communication plan was a “living document” to facilitate continued integration of stakeholder input, regulatory development, and scientific advancement. The sequence of communications commenced with mailings to participants at the end of July 2005 and culminated in a community meeting on August 15, 2005, where full results were presented.

15.4.1.3 Results and Use of Risk Communication Tools

1. Notifications to Participants and Authorities—Biomonitoring results were sent via next-day-delivery mailings to individual study participants. These results included the individual’s blood PFOA and biomarker levels as well as comparative information on PFOA levels (including blood levels for national and site facility workers, general US population, and community neighborhoods) and a toll-free telephone number to contact a study physician with any questions. Letters containing aggregated, not individual, results were sent simultaneously to identified authorities and CAC members, to ensure that recipients would be able to respond appropriately to inquiries from the public.
   • Lessons and Takeaways: Calls often needed to be returned after business hours. Most concerns focused on higher levels in children and the elderly, and possible interactions of elevated PFOA levels and particular medical conditions.
2. Initial Press Release and Briefing—Key local and regional media were identified and informed of the communication plan around the date the participant letters were sent. An initial press release and briefing were made the second day after the results were mailed to ensure that participants did not first learn of the issue through the press, while still providing investigators an opportunity to be the primary source of information to the press. Identified media representatives and national news outlets were invited to the news briefing. The release simply identified that levels in LHWA residents were much higher than those in the general US population, and that water had been identified as the major source of exposure. Interested stakeholders were urged to attend a community meeting where comprehensive results would be released and discussed.
   • Lessons and Takeaways: The reporting by local and national media did not misconstrue information and local media participated as per the communication plan. The CAC perceived the media coverage as constructive. The community expressed great satisfaction that participants had received their results first.
3. Closed Rehearsal of Community Presentation—A full closed-door rehearsal presentation (summarized in the subsequent bullet) was presented by the study team to the CAC prior to the community meeting. The closed rehearsal ensured that the community meeting presentation was as inclusive and useful as possible.
   • Lessons and Take-Away: The CAC requested a presentation that was careful and simple to understand, incorporating a clear visual map so that residents could locate their residences with respect to the study results. During rehearsal, the CAC members provided feedback on the order of the agenda, comprehensibility of slides, choice of wordings to accord with terminology and usage in the area, structure of the presentation, and dealing with likely questions.
4. Community Meeting—The meeting commenced with “ground rules,” such as lawyers were not to solicit clients and questions were to follow the presentation. It was also communicated that continual stakeholder feedback is a success factor of the communication plan. In addition, representatives from the facility were invited to attend but were not permitted to present. The 45-minute presentation given by the study team detailed partnership objectives and study methods, results, and recommendations. A two-hour question and answer period followed the presentation. A summary of the study, recommendations (including the use of bottled water), sources of information, and how to access a study physician were distributed to all attendees on exit. The meeting summary and information on accessing free bottled water were mailed to households in the LHWA district and local authorities and representatives.
   • Lessons and Takeaways: The meeting proceeded in a constructive manner as CAC community members had predicted and not in the angry manner outside public relations experts had predicted. Any anger was directed at the responsible party and not at the investigators.
5. Publication of Results and Information—Following the community meeting, a newsletter with test result summaries was issued. A website with meeting presentation slides, test results, and FAQs was also developed. A summary of results was sent to all LHWA district residents.
   • Lessons and Takeaways: The website received many hits. The study and recommendations did not prove controversial. The practitioners did not encounter antagonistic relationships between the different parties.
6. Availability to Answer Questions—Physicians from the study team made themselves available to the public to answer questions from individuals and also from treating health care professionals.
   • Lessons and Takeaways: This service was appreciated. Questions mostly focused on the impact on residents with particular conditions such as liver and kidney disease. The many uncertainties surrounding the risk to humans were openly acknowledged.

15.4.1.4 Effectiveness of Communications

On the day results were presented and approximately 2 weeks after the initial press release, the responsible party announced that it would make free bottled water available to LHWA district residents (3 liters per day per person). Seventy-eight percent of eligible households accepted the offer.

Sixteen months after dissemination of the study results, a follow-up study of participants was made, which included repeat blood PFOA levels and questions about any changes in water usage. Sixty-five percent of those in the initial study participated in the follow-up, of whom 95 percent had made some change in their residential water usage in a way that would be expected to reduce PFOA intake. Eighty-eight percent had followed study recommendations to switch to using bottled water. The group median blood PFOA had declined 26%, consistent with a large effect for a pollutant with a half-life of approximately 4 years in humans.

USEPA used the results to enter into a consent agreement with DuPont to provide bottled water for the other impacted communities near the plant with >0.5 ppb of PFOA in water, and the states of Minnesota and New Jersey set provisional standards for PFOA levels in drinking water.

Lessons and Takeaways: The results and communications strategy resulted in 95% of participants had made a change to their water source. This response greatly exceeds the usual level of response seen with public health interventions. All parties, individuals, corporations, and governments acted in a prudent way with the disseminated information. Not all residents reacted by adopting the specific recommendations from the study; the alternate actions some individuals took are consistent with the information being incorporated into individuals’ own risk perceptions and with the development of a free market of solutions (individual decision making based on available information).

15.4.1.5 Case Study Summary

The Little Hocking Community-First Communication Strategy resulted in a great increase in alternate water source use by impacted community members and subsequently, a reduction in community PFOA blood levels. The success of the communication plan at the Little Hocking site was underlain by the four dimensions of risk communication:

• Understanding: Investigators worked with the community through the CAC to establish the communities’ preferences and priorities in the form of a communication strategy and plan to maintain simplified and consistent messaging among stakeholder groups and interested parties, such as the media.
• Perception: Risk perception factors were incorporated into the outreach strategy, including residents’ knowledge of PFOA biomonitoring results and associated illnesses, ability to access a physician, presence of vulnerable subpopulations (higher PFOA levels in children and the elderly), proximity of individual residences to elevated concentrations within the study area (sense of a safe place), and possible interactions of elevated PFOA levels and particular medical conditions.
• Participation: The affected community actively participated in all components of the communications.
• Evaluation: Success and effectiveness of the communication process were assessed based on feedback from the CAC, surveys of residents, and review of newspaper articles and other media content. In addition, a follow-up study was performed that addressed the effectiveness in terms of lowered blood levels of PFOA and a questionnaire about whether and how community members had changed their drinking water source as a result of the risk communication strategy.

15.4.2 State-Led Community Involvement Case Studies

The Environmental Council of the States (ECOS), in collaboration with the USEPA Office of Research and Development and the Association of State and Territorial Health Professionals, has developed a series of case studies presenting how state regulatory agencies are performing risk communication to PFAS-impacted stakeholders: https://www.ecos.org/documents/state-level-risk-communication-of-pfas-and-habs/

15.4.3 Washington County, MN: A State’s Approach to Risk Communication

Washington County is home to 3M’s Cottage Grove manufacturing facility as well as several disposal facilities where PFAS had been routinely disposed. Beginning in 2002, the State of Minnesota pursued drinking water investigations at the 3M facility and later near 3M’s waste disposal sites in Washington County. According to the 2010 US Census, the population of Washington County, Minnesota was about 238,136, with the majority being Caucasian and between the ages of 18 and 64. Over 1,800 private wells, four major aquifers, eight municipal water supply systems, and over 150 square miles of groundwater were affected by the contamination. This impacted the drinking water supply of over 140,000 residents. After they were determined as the responsible party, 3M remained involved in the remediation efforts and paid for the majority of sampling throughout the county in coordination with MPCA.

This case study is discussed in the context of the risk communication plan.

15.4.3.1 Identify the Issue

The most widespread PFAS compound found in the region is PFBA. Additional prominent compounds include PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS. PFPeA, PFHxA, and PFBS which were always present as a mixture. When investigations began in 2002, there were many challenges to determining the impact for people as the science was in the very beginning stages of development. Therefore, MDH developed health-based guidance for PFOA and PFOS and the MDH lab developed the method to analyze water sample for PFOA and PFOS.  As the science has progressed, MDH continues to update methods and health-based guidance.

Site communications are organized and performed in collaboration primarily between the Minnesota Department of Health and the Minnesota Pollution Control agencies. However, as with other PFAS sites, the site covers multiple local, county and state entities. Communications frequently entail only one or a few cities rather than the entire site. They may also need to be coordinated through all the cities and the county. This leads to multiple plans with multiple partners that are specific to an issue or communications plans developed for a specific project. The fundamental traits of successful risk communication over time and with all stakeholders for MDH include: empathy, care, competence, expertise, honesty, dedication, and commitment.

15.4.3.2 Set Goals

General communication goals and objectives for the site:

• Goal: Inform people about potential hazards to their person, property, or community and help them to make informed decisions about risks to their health.
  • Objective: Develop approved message blocks for PFAS topics and house in accessible format to encourage consistent information is used for all materials developed.
  • Objective: Provide regular updates about remediation activities at stakeholder group meetings including agency PFAS training meetings, county workgroup meetings, city council meetings and public meetings
  • Objective: Provide regular updates about health risks as scientific information changes/evolves at stakeholder group meetings including agency PFAS training meetings, county workgroup meetings, city council meetings and public meetings
• Goal: Encourage people to take precautions to reduce exposure to PFAS
  • Objective: Homes with contaminated drinking water are issued drinking water advisories and either connected to the city water or supplied with GAC filters that are maintained by the state.
  • Objective: Keep updated information about actions people can take to lower their exposure to PFAS on MDH website and MPCA website.
  • Objective: Mobilize stakeholder groups in the county or local communities to encourage people in their area to participate in remediation activities and processes offered by MPCA and contractors.
• Goal: Provide background information and present risks in an understandable way, using plain-language messaging.
  • Objective: Provide opportunities for people impacted by contamination to connect with appropriate staff to find information and to ask questions if concerned.
  • Objective: User test materials using MDH Plain Language Workgroup
• Goal: Bring new information as soon as available to build trust

Objective: Provide public meetings with open house sessions before and after a main presentation to bring new information to community

Objective:  Provide availability sessions to encourage concerned people impacted by changes to learn more about their individual situations.

Project specific communications goals example:

 Since 2002, there have been multiple changes in PFAS health based values provided by MDH, analytical advances which have impacted lab results, an investigation that looked at PFAS in garden produce and dust, multiple biomonitoring studies, fish monitoring and consumption guidance, drinking water and source water investigations, and a study to test point-of-use water treatment devices. All of these projects and scientific advances have resulted in specific communications to affected communities with goals and objectives tailored to the issue or project.

15.4.3.3 Identify Communities and Constraints

MDH catered their risk communication strategy to the following:

• Residents of affected communities
• Local governments: cities, townships, and their staff of varying sizes
• Washington County public health and environmental staff
• Legislators
• Other state agencies including MPCA

Constraints include the size of the area and the multiple local governments. The character of each township and city vary widely with different capacities to manage local information dissemination to affected residents. This requires communicators to develop relationships with each stakeholder group. The risks and impacts of PFAS contamination are managed differently for those on public water and private wells. Therefore, the correct information needs to be available in many different forms for different stakeholders.

15.4.3.4 Community and Stakeholder Assessment

Minnesota’s risk communication strategy in response to the Washington County PFAS drinking water contamination has been centered around community engagement and forging strong relationships with community members. Building these relationships enabled them to build trust with the community and develop new communication channels.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), in conjunction with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), maintains a hands-on risk communication approach.  Information about community needs for information is gathered through regular update meetings with stakeholder groups and local government leaders. Public meetings, availability sessions and face to face interactions with community members during remediation activities provides a base of information for the ongoing communication efforts. MDH also maintains a 24/7 email and phone line for people to access with concerns or for information about site activities.

Minnesota had been engaging directly with affected communities since 2002. Having had a long-standing relationship with affected communities, MDH has a history of responding to the specific needs of the affected communities and has tailored its messaging to their knowledge level. Although basic information about PFAS is always available, the general level of knowledge amongst key stakeholders is high. For this reason and with these communities, MDH representatives lead with high-level information, as the attendees to the public meetings typically are interested in specific updates as opposed to rudimentary background information.

15.4.3.5 Identify Messages

MDH maintains a message block document with approved message blocks about a variety of topics for internal staff use. This document serves as the basis for specific information sheets developed for different stakeholder activities. It is also a resource to answer questions from concerned community members. Topics include health risk of PFAS, MDH guidance value information, current site activities, exposure information, fish consumption guidance, swimming, cumulative health risk, breastfeeding and health risks, PFAS and links to health problems, testing blood for PFAS, biomonitoring information, gardening and PFAS, and results of MN Cancer Surveillance System reports.

MDH notes the importance of discussing the scientific method with stakeholders to remain transparent about their course of action. They also share new knowledge as it becomes available and do not wait until they have a perfect message or until they know all of the facts to engage with the community. In an effort to uphold their principle of transparency, MDH acknowledges points of uncertainty and are clear about what they do not know when communicating with the public.

The messages are presented in different ways to different communities depending on the level of understanding that a community has about PFAS. For example, we had several meetings in 2018 for communities. One meeting was to a community which had not had PFAS contamination issues until 2018. The information for this community was presented in more of an elementary, broad overview style and level. Another presentation in the same month was to a neighboring community that had been involved with PFAS contamination since 2002. The presentation focused more on what the new information was rather than PFAS basics as the community had a more developed understanding of PFAS.

Examples of specific messages:

• Testing is available for households on private wells that would like their drinking water tested for PFAS. If test results show elevated levels, options are available from the MPCA for treating the water and reducing exposures.
• Currently, PFAS levels found in the drinking water supply in impacted communities have been within the margin of safety for the current drinking water guidance values, and outright negative health effects from these exposures are not expected with what is currently known about PFAS exposures and health effects.
• Affected water supplies are safe to use to water produce in home gardens.
• Biomonitoring Data Shows Interventions are working

Figure 15-18 includes biomonitoring data for three PFAS compounds over the time period from 2008 to 2012. This study shows that although we can’t answer questions about health effects, we can demonstrate the work we are doing to reduce exposures has paid off.

Figure 15-18. Biomonitoring Data
Source: Courtesy of the Minnesota Department of Health

• Because of the extreme persistence and mobility of these compounds, a PFAS megaplume developed which is much larger than early modeling predicted. One of the primary factors in this was the unanticipated transport of PFAS via surface water and then re-infiltration to groundwater far away from the source areas – a transport pathway not typically seen in persistent environmental contaminants, which tend to adsorb to organic carbon in soils and sediments.

15.4.3.6 Select Communication and Engagement Tools

MDH’s risk communication strategy facilitates community engagement and open dialogue.

• Engaging with stakeholders and communities as soon as possible when there is any change in risk management of PFAS. Builds trust over time that MDH will be there to support and help communities.
• MDH sends the right people/experts/staff to deliver messages. Over time, staff have built relationships with stakeholders.
• When interacting with people impacted by the site, staff stays until all questions are answered – whether it is a phone call, a public meeting or availability session
• MDH has a service-oriented approach to community engagement. They recognize that educating the community members will carry a ripple effect. Attendees from the meetings who learn through the presentations and the open house format will then take the information and share it with other members of the community.

MDH used the following strategies to connect with and inform the affected communities:

• Hosting Public Meetings: Public meetings have been a significant part of community engagement in Washington County. MDH has held public meetings in an open house, presentation, and Q&A format. An open house is followed by a presentation given to the attendees, after which they provide a time for questions and answers, followed by additional open house time. Participants are able to ask questions about their particular situations in an open forum setting or in one-to-one conversations. For example, in Spring 2017, MDH in collaboration with MPCA held two presentations in different areas of Washington County. The city of Cottage Grove meeting attracted 130 people. In Lake Elmo, a region where the majority of residents have private wells, approximately 120 people attended the public meeting.
• Hosting Availability Sessions/Office Hours: MDH organized opportunities to provide people with time to interact with staff one on one and ask questions. Typically, MDH held these events after major sampling events happened or when new or updated information was released. MDH extended these opportunities upon request of the community. The events were widely used. In an event held in Fall 2017, the office hours held in Lake Elmo where the majority of residents have private wells attracted 45 people. With the affected area being so large, personal communication was helpful in establishing relationships with members of the community.
• Providing Online Resources: The MDH website outlined the history of PFAS in Minnesota as well as actions they have taken and health-based guidance information. An electronic online sampling request form was available on the MDH website. An electronic map on the website shows where MDH is sampling and community members could see and check their property’s location in relation to the PFAS contaminated sites. MDH also had a widely used email address for residents to ask questions directly to the department. They could also subscribe to the government’s delivery email list to get new information directly to their inbox.
• Communicating with Local Government: MDH prioritized communication with local government because it was a useful tool in keeping the communities informed. They visited city councils to provide updates on the PFAS investigations. They also provided technical support to local governments and their staff that were responsible for protecting public drinking water.
• Using the Media: MDH used press releases and interviews to disseminate information. Social media became a useful tool as well.

15.4.3.7 Implement Strategy

Strategies implemented included:

• Drinking Water Advisories: Over 2700 private wells have been sampled in the East Metro and over 1, 100 drinking water advisories have been issued. Homes that have been issued drinking water advisories are either connected to city water or provided bottled water and/or GAC filters maintained by the state. MDH and MPCA collaborated to communicate and coordinate action for this work.
• Public Water Systems: There are five community public water supplies in the East Metro that have individual wells above the MDH health-based guidance values. All of these cities put in place interim measures to manage their public water supply systems to provide drinking water at or below the MDH health-based guidance values. MDH collaborated with these communities to provide information to residents.
• Messages to Community: After developing health-based guidance values for PFAS compounds, MDH sought to explain to the community what these values mean and what concerns they address. They also explained the next steps in their action plan.
• Reiterating Commitment: MDH drives home the message that they are committed to bringing updated information to the communities to inform them of the status of their efforts. This assures the community that MDH is determined to support them and address their concerns.
• Collaboration with Other Stakeholders: MDH collaborated with MPCA on a response to the PFAS contamination. Any message that were released to the public by MDH was in conjunction with MPCA. ATSDR also developed a community engagement book which has guided MDH’s risk communication strategy. Additionally, MDH worked closely with city administrators and community leaders to keep them informed prior to the public meetings.
• Concessions: When drinking water levels were found to be above guidance values in private wells, bottled water was provided by MPCA until a GAC system can be installed.

15.4.3.8 Evaluate, Debrief and Follow Up

Continuous improvement of risk communications and activities through evaluation and through providing feedback loops with stakeholders supports the ongoing implementation strategies described above. The sampling and remediation activities have been widely successful in part due to the community engagement and communications efforts that have built trust in the community for the state agencies.

Evaluation methods used to understand effectiveness of communications content and process include one on one surveys at events, hot washes with partner agencies after communications efforts, and feedback from community leaders at regular update meetings.

Continuously improving, refining, and developing materials to meet community concerns and needs that are identified by inquiries or contacts staff have with community members. Contacts are primarily through 24/7 email and phone line as well as in person while in the field or at public events.

Materials have been developed in many formats over the years and have changed due to capacity for communities to use various methods and MDH capacity to produce them – video, face to face meetings, print, social media in coordination with partners. Investigations and other information have also resulted from community concerns. These include Cancer Incidence Reports, home and garden study, site-specific meal advice for fish consumption, point-of-use filter testing, clinician information sheet, and an information sheet about testing blood for PFAS.

15.4.3.9 Successful Outcomes

The Minnesota Department of Health has been very successful in community engagement:

• They have earned the trust of the community, and residents are assured that MDH is working hard to solve the issue at hand. The number of people participating in sampling and remediation speaks to the efforts made to connect with affected people. Exit surveys from public events have shown that people feel staff are working hard and are good at the work they do.
• MDH also has invested their resources in research and has made strides in understanding the health impacts of the PFAS contamination their state is facing. Many of the investigations and projects were in response to concerns collected through contacts with community members and leaders. These include Cancer Incidence Reports, home and garden study, site specific meal advice for fish consumption, point-of-use filter testing, clinician information sheet, and an information sheet about testing blood for PFAS.
• They have used biomonitoring to demonstrate that their efforts have reduced the PFAS levels in people’s bodies. This has provided the community with tangible evidence that the work they are doing is making a difference.

15.4.3.10 Lessons Learned

• It is vital to be on the ground and engage with the community face-to-face. This helps build trusting relationships with the community which has facilitated the remediation efforts and supported reducing exposures to PFAS for community members.
• The cross-agency effort to address the PFAS concerns in Minnesota is a challenge and takes effort to coordinate, but over time has been an effective strategy to address exposures to PFAS in a timely manner.
• Dealing with residential homes and homeowners can be complex. Because PFAS is a complex emerging contaminant for which research and information is constantly evolving, it can be a challenging to return to residents with new guidance values based on new health risks. The information has to fit for those who are familiar with PFAS and those who are new homeowners or residents in affected communities.
• It is important to learn what information residents are looking for and relay it in an articulate manner and in a way that is useful to them. Another concern Minnesota residents have had is a potential decline in property value, but this concern has faded with time.
• Additionally, it is important to be understanding and sympathetic toward the affected residents when they are upset. They are concerned for the well-being of their families.

15.4.3.11 Better Practices Moving Forward

Moving forward, MDH notes that sites across the state have similar circumstances and similar concerns. The lessons learned from sites they have already worked with have been beneficial in refining their approach with other affected communities and contaminants. They have had success with duplicating their strategies and methods at other sites. Although the general principles have been effective, every community is slightly different. MDH takes the time to understand the dynamics of each particular community and tailor their risk communication methods accordingly.

Updated June 2022.