November 3 - 4, 2022, 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. EDT (2 Days)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 3
Live Interactive Online Training
Course Reviews (4.8/5): 
This course provides a comprehensive overview of PFAS site management including the transport, fate, and remediation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in soil, surface water, and groundwater. PFAS have been in use since the 1940s, are highly toxic, resist degradation, and are becoming increasingly regulated. The training begins with a review of PFAS sources, toxicity, and common forms detected in the environment including the ionized perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAA) such as perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), PFAA precursors, and newer PFAS including perfluorobutanesulfonate (PFBS), fluorotelomer substances, F53B, ADONA, and GenX related chemicals such as hexafluoropropylene oxide (HFPO) dimer acid. The course then focuses on more advanced topics including PFAS transport, fate, site characterization, analytical methods, and effective remediation strategies for soil, surface water, and groundwater.
Course Topics
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PFAS 101 - The Basics
• What Are PFAS?
• Precursors and Degradates
• Acronyms and Naming Conventions
• Production History and Usage Trends
• Replacement Chemistry
• Sources and Modes of Release
• Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF)
• Detections in the Environment
• Toxicity and Health Effects
Physical and Chemical Properties
• Physical Properties of PFAS
• Fluorine Characteristics
• Carbon-Fluorine Bonds
• Acidic, Anionic, and Cationic Forms
• Acid Disassociation Constants
• Thermal and Chemical Stabilities
• Solubilities
• Organic Carbon Partitioning
• Vapor Pressures
• Henry's Law Partitioning
• Octanol-Water Partitioning
• Bioconcentration Factors
PFAS Transport and Fate in Air, Soil, Surface Water, and Groundwater
• 4-Phase and Interface Partitioning
• Advection, Dispersion, and Diffusion
• Atmospheric Deposition
• Leaching
• Micelle Formation
• Abiotic Transformation
• Biotransformation
• PFAS Degradates
• Bioaccumulation
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Site Characterization for PFAS
• Investigation Strategies
• Source Identification
• Sampling Approaches and Precautions
• Selecting PFAS Analytes
• Analytical Methods
• Air, Soil, and Water Framework
• Data Evaluation
• Qualitative Analysis
• Exposure Pathways & Risk Assessment
• Conceptual Site Model Development
Soil Remediation Technologies
• Soil Washing
• Excavation and Off-Site Destruction • Stabilization/Solidification
• Thermal Desorption
• Incineration
Water Remediation Technologies
• Reverse Osmosis
• Nanofiltration
• Granular Activated Carbon and Biochar
• Modified Anion Exchange
• Surface Active Foam Fractionation
• Ozofractionation
• Electrochemical Oxidation
• Argon Plasma Treatment
• Sonochemical Treatment
• Alkaline Hydrothermal Liquefaction
PFAS Regulation and Guidance
• National and International Regulatory Approaches
• State and National Regulatory Status
• Guidance and Resources
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Intended Audience: This course is intended for environmental professionals seeking an improved understanding of PFAS chemistry, transport, fate, site characterization, and remediation.
Education Level: Introductory to advanced. General principles, current research, and advanced topics are presented to ensure all levels benefit from attending. Familiarity with general chemistry and transport and fate principles is recommended.
Course Materials: 2022 updated course proceedings and references (276 color pages - PDF).
Credit: 15 PDHs or 1.5 CEUs for completing 15 hours of instruction.
Registration: This is a private class for EPA Region 3 staff only. Please register internally.
Location: Your home or office - anywhere you can get comfortable and online.
About the Instructor: Erick McWayne has twenty-eight years of professional experience in environmental quality management and teaching related courses. As a consultant, he managed contaminated surface water, soil, and groundwater projects for the Department of Defense and other clients. He currently provides consulting support to environmental projects and teaches courses in contaminant chemistry, transport and fate, geochemistry, hydrogeology, and remediation with the University of California Davis and the National Environmental Management Academy.
