U.S. Geological Survey Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Science Strategy Identifies Science Gaps and Opportunities
The USGS is planning National scale PFAS reconnaissance studies in water and fish
The USGS is studying PFAS transport, exposure, and biological effects in ecosystems
USGS is developing advanced methods to examine PFAS in the environment
USGS works on PFAS issues with local and regional partners
The North Atlantic-Appalachian PFAS Capability Team engages with partners in the North Eastern United States
USGS recently (2022) released a strategic vision document that identifies science gaps and opportunities for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) monitoring, assessment, and research activities (sampling protocols and analytical methods, environmental sources and source apportionment, environmental occurrence, environmental fate and transport, human and wildlife exposure routes, bioaccumulation and biomagnification, and ecotoxicology) that are tied to U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) capabilities and expertise.
The widespread occurrence of PFAS in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, drinking water, wildlife, and human plasma has raised public health and resource management questions including the following:
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What are the best methods to measure PFAS?
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What are the sources of PFAS to the environment?
-
How do PFAS move in the environment?
-
How do PFAS breakdown in the environment?
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How are wildlife exposed?
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Does PFAS bioaccumulate?
-
Are there any adverse effects on wildlife?
-
How are humans exposed?
U.S. Geological Survey Taking a Strategic Approach
The USGS recently (2021) released a strategy that outlines the agency’s future scientific role in the study of PFAS to answer these questions. The strategy identifies PFAS-related science opportunities that USGS is uniquely positioned to address in the short term (1–2 years) using existing resources, as well as longer-term (3 years and beyond) PFAS science opportunities.
The USGS has a history of interdisciplinary PFAS research that informed the formation of the strategic vision. The strategic vision document was created to inform steps forward for the USGS related to the science of PFAS with the needs of public health experts and ecological resource managers in mind, including information to identify environmental distribution and understand exposure in humans and wildlife.
The strategy addresses short- and long-term opportunities for the following:
-
Sampling protocols and analytical methods
-
Environmental sources and source apportionment
-
Environmental occurrence
-
Environmental fate and transport
-
Human and wildlife exposure routes
-
Bioaccumulation and biomagnification
-
Ecotoxicology
U.S. Geological Survey is Taking Actions Identified in the Strategy
- Historical PFAS research provides foundational information
- Development of analytical methods and dedicated laboratories for PFAS analyses in animal plasma, animal tissue, and water samples.
- Formation of an Integrated Science Team through the USGS Environmental Health Program to study PFAS sources, movement, degradation, wildlife and human exposure, and potential hazards to fish and wildlife.
- Initiation of studies to measure PFAS in tap water to inform human exposure, including areas with underrepresented communities.
- Initiation of studies to measure PFAS in fish tissue at locations coincidental with tap water sampling as part of a One-Health approach.
- Reimbursable work with external partners for research on issues related to PFAS at local and regional levels.
Read this collection of featured science articles to discover more about PFAS research in the Environmental Health Program of the Ecosystems Mission Area.
Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Integrated Science Team
U.S. Geological Survey Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Science Strategy Identifies Science Gaps and Opportunities
Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Science Team
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Residential Tap Water: Source-to-Tap Science for Underserved Communities
No Adverse Reproductive Effects Observed in Tree Swallows Exposed to Perfluoroalkyl Substances in Clarks Marsh, Michigan
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) detected in Source Waters and Treated Public Water Supplies
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances From Firefighting and Domestic Wastewater Remain in Groundwater for Decades
USGS recently (2022) released a strategic vision document that identifies science gaps and opportunities for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) monitoring, assessment, and research activities (sampling protocols and analytical methods, environmental sources and source apportionment, environmental occurrence, environmental fate and transport, human and wildlife exposure routes, bioaccumulation and biomagnification, and ecotoxicology) that are tied to U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) capabilities and expertise.
The widespread occurrence of PFAS in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, drinking water, wildlife, and human plasma has raised public health and resource management questions including the following:
-
What are the best methods to measure PFAS?
-
What are the sources of PFAS to the environment?
-
How do PFAS move in the environment?
-
How do PFAS breakdown in the environment?
-
How are wildlife exposed?
-
Does PFAS bioaccumulate?
-
Are there any adverse effects on wildlife?
-
How are humans exposed?
U.S. Geological Survey Taking a Strategic Approach
The USGS recently (2021) released a strategy that outlines the agency’s future scientific role in the study of PFAS to answer these questions. The strategy identifies PFAS-related science opportunities that USGS is uniquely positioned to address in the short term (1–2 years) using existing resources, as well as longer-term (3 years and beyond) PFAS science opportunities.
The USGS has a history of interdisciplinary PFAS research that informed the formation of the strategic vision. The strategic vision document was created to inform steps forward for the USGS related to the science of PFAS with the needs of public health experts and ecological resource managers in mind, including information to identify environmental distribution and understand exposure in humans and wildlife.
The strategy addresses short- and long-term opportunities for the following:
-
Sampling protocols and analytical methods
-
Environmental sources and source apportionment
-
Environmental occurrence
-
Environmental fate and transport
-
Human and wildlife exposure routes
-
Bioaccumulation and biomagnification
-
Ecotoxicology
U.S. Geological Survey is Taking Actions Identified in the Strategy
- Historical PFAS research provides foundational information
- Development of analytical methods and dedicated laboratories for PFAS analyses in animal plasma, animal tissue, and water samples.
- Formation of an Integrated Science Team through the USGS Environmental Health Program to study PFAS sources, movement, degradation, wildlife and human exposure, and potential hazards to fish and wildlife.
- Initiation of studies to measure PFAS in tap water to inform human exposure, including areas with underrepresented communities.
- Initiation of studies to measure PFAS in fish tissue at locations coincidental with tap water sampling as part of a One-Health approach.
- Reimbursable work with external partners for research on issues related to PFAS at local and regional levels.
Read this collection of featured science articles to discover more about PFAS research in the Environmental Health Program of the Ecosystems Mission Area.