This document summarizes research conducted on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) sampling in UK landfills. 27 landfills were sampled, including permitted and historic sites. Samples were analyzed for a wide range of contaminants including PFAS, metals, pesticides, dioxins and furans. Special care was taken to avoid cross contamination during sampling including using dedicated stainless steel equipment and thorough cleaning. Quality control samples showed some detections of PFAS in blanks indicating challenges with cross contamination. The limits of detection for some PFAS were also issues. Overall the research found PFAS are ubiquitous in landfill leachates in the UK as seen elsewhere, but sampling for these substances requires special procedures to avoid contamination

1. Jill Thompson
Senior Land Quality Scientist
Good practice in geo-environmental
sampling of per -and polyfluoroalkyl
substances (PFAS) in UK landfills

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 Background to PFAS in landfills
 Research undertaken
 Analysis suites
 Cross Contamination
 Limits of Detection
 Quality Control
 Costs
 Lessons Learnt
Agenda

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Background
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 Numerous studies around the world have found PFAS ubiquitous in landfill leachates-
but none in England.

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Landfill Sampling
•27 Landfills
•Permitted and Historic (post 1960)
•Groundwater, surface water and
leachate

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Paper lead research
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Brominated
Diphenyl
Ethers
PCBs, PAH
& Phenols
Dioxins &
Furans
VOCs
SCCPs/
MCCPs
Insecticides,
Pesticides &
Herbicides
PFAS
General &
Metals
Analysis Suite
Other…

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PFAS Determinands- Breakdown
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Cross Contamination
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How we avoided Cross Contamination?
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Clean set up and new
tubing at each location
PPE washed 6x Thorough cleaning
Stainless Steel
Buckets/Jugs for
PFAS
Mistakes!
Substance
Collection
Vessel
Sample Bottle Bottle Cap Volume
PFAS & Glyphosate Stainless Steel
Polypropylene or
polyethylene (HDPE)
Unlined polypropylene cap
(no PTFE)
1L

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Logistics
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Quality Control – Blank Results
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Blank PFAS type % of PFAS detected
Blank 1 (Equipment Blank pre
cleaning)
PFBA 100
Blank 2 (Equipment Blank post
cleaning)
None None
Blank 3 (Equipment Blank post
cleaning)
None None
Blank 4 (Equipment Blank post
cleaning)
PFOA 100
Blank 5 (Plastic Bailer and clean
water)
PFOA & PFOS 60 / 40

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Challenges with Limits of Detection
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Continued: Challenges with Limits of Detection
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Boxed together
are the same
samples

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Cost!
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Material Availability & cost of demonstrating PFAS free materials
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Conclusions
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 Sampling for PFAS requires extra effort planning!
 Have a strong conceptual site model – you want to know what to test for!
 Develop your QC procedures and blanks
 Have a plan for cleaning / potential for cross contamination
 Consider LoD’s in your interrogation of the data

17. Questions?

18. Contributors
Francesca Giacomello- francesca.giacomello@Jacobs.com
;
Jane Thrasher– jane.thrasher@jacobs.com
Kelly Mackay- kelly.mackay@jacobs.com
Nicola Ingrey - nicky.ingrey@environment-agency.gov.uk

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