The Widespread Nature of PFAS Contamination of Our Globe Requires More Rapid Adoption and Advancement of Novel Site Investigation Tools

What was once an emerging sector in the broader field of environment science has now emerged into its own self-contained field of study. Research into per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has unveiled the ubiquity, persistence, and bioaccumulative behavior of many compounds in diverse environmental compartments. With the continued evolution of PFAS research, new methods, technologies, and best practices have been introduced by academic and government groups. Despite these advancements, there is an unavoidable lag between the development and application by state agencies, consultants, and practitioners. In this paper, we highlight specific advancements in passive sampling, detection methods, and mechanistic modeling that should be more rapidly employed for day-to-day site investigation and management efforts. With valiant efforts to demonstrate PFAS destruction and treatment technology not yet producing a scalable solution, identifying sources, monitoring resources, and communicating these findings present an alternative opportunity to “turn off the tap” to combat the threat of PFAS contamination.