Release of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) from Carpet and Clothing in Model Anaerobic Landfill Reactors.
Discarded carpet and clothing are potential sources of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in landfill leachate, but little is known about their release when disposed in landfills. The concentrations of 70 PFASs in the aqueous phase of anaerobic model landfill reactors filled with carpet or clothing were monitored under biologically active and abiotic conditions. For carpet, total PFAS release was greater in live than abiotic reactors, with an average of 8.5 nmol/L and 0.62 nmol/L after 552 days, respectively. Release in live carpet reactors was primarily due to 5:3 fluorotelomer carboxylic acid (FTCA - 3.9 nmol/L) and perfluorohexanoic carboxylic acid (PFHxA - 2.9 nmol/L). For clothing, release was more dependent on sample heterogeneity than the presence of biological activity, with 0.63, 21.7, 2.6, and 6.3 nmol/L for two live and two abiotic reactors after 519 days, respectively. Release in the clothing reactors was largely due to perfluorooctatonic carboxylic acid (PFOA), with low relative concentrations of measured biotransformation precursors (FTCAs). For carpet and clothing reactors, the majority of PFAS release was not measured until after day 100. Results demonstrate that carpet and clothing are likely sources of PFASs in landfill leachate.
Department of Civil, Constructional, and Environmental Engineering, North Carolina State University , Box 7908, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695-7908, United States.
Johnsie R
JR
Lang
Department of Chemistry, Oregon State University , 153 Gilbert Hall, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-4003, United States.
B McKay
BM
Allred
Department of Chemistry, Hope College , 35 E. 12th St., Holland, Michigan 49423-3605, United States.
Graham F
GF
Peaslee
Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University , 1007 ALS Bldg. 2750 Campus Way, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-4003, United States.
Jennifer A
JA
Field
Department of Civil, Constructional, and Environmental Engineering, North Carolina State University , Box 7908, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695-7908, United States.
Morton A
MA
Barlaz
D003020:Clothing; D005430:Floors and Floorcoverings; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D064091:Waste Disposal Facilities; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical