Incidence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in private drinking water supplies in Southwest Virginia, USA

Kathleen Hohweiler; Leigh-Anne Krometis; Erin J Ling; Kang Xia

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172539

Incidence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in private drinking water supplies in Southwest Virginia, USA

Sci Total Environ. 2024 Apr 20:929:172539. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172539. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Kathleen Hohweiler¹, Leigh-Anne Krometis², Erin J Ling³, Kang Xia⁴

Affiliations

¹ Biological Systems Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 155 Ag Quad Lane, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0303, United States of America. Electronic address: khohwe1@vt.edu.
² Biological Systems Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 155 Ag Quad Lane, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0303, United States of America. Electronic address: lehenry@vt.edu.
³ Biological Systems Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 155 Ag Quad Lane, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0303, United States of America. Electronic address: ejling@vt.edu.
⁴ Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station, the Center for Advanced Innovation in Agriculture, School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 185 Ag Quad Lane, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0303, United States of America. Electronic address: kxia@vt.edu.

PMID: 38649039
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172539

Abstract

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of man-made contaminants of human health concern due to their resistance to degradation, widespread environmental occurrence, bioaccumulation in living organisms, and potential negative health impacts. Private drinking water supplies may be uniquely vulnerable to PFAS contamination in impacted areas, as these systems are not protected under federal regulations and often include limited treatment or remediation, if contaminated, prior to use. The goal of this study was to determine the incidence of PFAS contamination in private drinking water supplies in two counties in Southwest Virginia, USA (Floyd and Roanoke) that share similar bedrock geologies, are representative of different state Department of Health risk categories, and to examine the potential for reliance on citizen-science based strategies for sample collection in subsequent efforts. Samples for inorganic ions, bacteria, and PFAS analysis were collected on separate occasions by participants and experts at the home drinking water point of use (POU) for comparison. Experts also collected outside tap samples for analysis of 30 PFAS compounds. At least one PFAS was detectable in 95 % of POU samples collected (n = 60), with a mean total PFAS concentration of 23.5 ± 30.8 ppt. PFOA and PFOS, two PFAS compounds which presently have EPA health advisories, were detectable in 13 % and 22 % of POU samples, respectively. On average, each POU sample contained >3 PFAS compounds, and one sample contained as many as 8 compounds, indicating that exposure to a mixture of PFAS in drinking water may be occurring. Although there were significant differences in total PFAS concentrations between expert and participant collected samples (Wilcoxon, alpha = 0.05), collector bias was inconsistent, and may be due to the time of day of sampling (i.e. morning, afternoon) or specific attributes of a given home. Further research is required to resolve sources of intra-sample variability.

Keywords: Citizen science; Drinking water; Household wells; PFAS; Private drinking water.