SWANA PFAS Page Now Available

PFAS, or Per and polyfluoroalkyl substances have been gaining traction in the world of solid waste, wastewater, and a variety of other environmental arenas.

PFAS are found in a litany of household products, such as:

• Nonstick cookware
• Stain resistant fabrics
• Wrinkle free, and water repellant fabrics
• Cosmetics,
• Food packaging
• Dozens of other everyday products

PFAS, a manmade group of compounds, has been a topic of concern with the EPA, primarily with drinking water. The EPA has not set restrictions yet, however, with the emerging concerns with PFAS the Landfill Management Technical Division created a subcommittee of the Landfill Liquids group to compile information regarding PFAS in the realm of solid waste.

After decades of PFAS being used in manufacturing and having a primary presence in every home and business the buildup of these chemicals has infiltrated into the solid waste materials stream. Solid Waste facilities are not producers of PFAS, however, because these facilities are the final resting place of so many of these everyday items, they are receivers. PFAS are found in landfills, especially in leachate, and in waste combustors.

PFAS used in manufacturing has been on the decline, however solid waste facilities will have the responsibility of maintaining environmental protections from these chemicals for years to come.

The landfill liquids committee has published a website for public use regarding PFAS in solid waste. This website, which can be found at https://swana.org/initiatives/pfas, dives into the concerns of PFAS for our industry, and the regulations surrounding the treatment of PFAS permeated leachate, wastewater, and other areas of concern surrounding PFAS.