RMP Technical Report: Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in San Francisco Bay: Synthesis and Strategy
Jun 29, 2018
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a broad class of fluorine-rich specialty chemicals. More than 4,700 PFAS are used in consumer, commercial and industrial applications. Well-studied members of the perfluoroalkyl family, including perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), have been shown to be highly toxic. Use is shifting to alternatives to PFOS and PFOA, including shorter-chain perfluoroalkyl chemicals and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals. This report compiled existing Bay PFAS data collected by the RMP and other organizations, reviewed the classification of PFAS detected in the Bay using the RMP’s tiered risk framework that guides monitoring and management actions on emerging contaminants, and recommended a monitoring strategy for the RMP for PFAS.
Programs and Focus Areas:
Clean Water Program
Related Projects, News, and Events:
The Pulse of the Bay (Project)
https://www.sfei.org/documents/2019-pulse-bay-pollutant-pathwaysDownload the Pulse of the Bay! This report from the Regional Monitoring Program for Water Quality in San Francisco Bay features articles on the four major pathways by which pollutants enter the Bay: municipal wastewater, industrial wastewater, stormwater, and dredging and dredged sediment disposal. Each article provides a basic introduction to the pathway and discusses the regulatory framework, recent findings, and future challenges. The report also includes some of the latest highlights from monitoring of important parameters such as nutrients, emerging contaminants, mercury, PCBs, and selenium.
RMP Technical Report: Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in San Francisco Bay: Synthesis and Strategy (News)
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a broad class of fluorine-rich specialty chemicals. More than 4,700 PFAS are used in consumer, commercial and industrial applications. Well-studied members of the perfluoroalkyl family, including perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), have been shown to be highly toxic. Use is shifting to alternatives to PFOS and PFOA, including shorter-chain perfluoroalkyl chemicals and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals.
Local coverage of RMP findings on flea control pesticide fipronil (News)
A report from ABC7's Dan Ashley on May 17, 2017 highlighted key findings from a recent RMP study on the pesticide fipronil. The study identified spot-on flea control products as likely to be an important source of this contaminant to the Bay.
PFAS Stays in San Francisco Bay (News)
SFEI senior scientist, Dr. Rebecca Sutton, published a new study in the journal Chemosphere showing that it will take almost 50 years for PFOA concentrations in water to stabilize in San Francisco Bay. This pales in comparison to the trajectory of PFOS concentrations that will not stabilize in sediment and fish for 500 years. PFOS and PFOA are harmful to humans, causing liver damage, endocrine disruption, fertility decrease, and cancer.
RMP Technical Report: Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in San Francisco Bay: Synthesis and Strategy (News)
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a broad class of fluorine-rich specialty chemicals. More than 4,700 PFAS are used in consumer, commercial and industrial applications. Well-studied members of the perfluoroalkyl family, including perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), have been shown to be highly toxic. Use is shifting to alternatives to PFOS and PFOA, including shorter-chain perfluoroalkyl chemicals and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals.