Environmental Industry Updates
The Latest News on Scientific and Regulatory Updates from Merit Laboratories
As more sites are identified with PFAS contamination in Michigan, the state’s Michigan PFAS Action Response Team (MPART) is taking steps to communicate with state residents and interested parties. One such step is the creation of the PFAS Response website. This site provides information on PFAS sites in Michigan, health, wildlife, and testing and treatment. MPART published a statement on PFAS Testing and Treatment.
The MDEQ published updates on June 25th to the Generic Cleanup Criteria Tables to reflect recent changes to the GSI (Groundwater-Surface Water) Criteria. The GSI tables are based upon the water quality standards developed under Michigan Part 31, Rule 57 of (Water Resources of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act). Water quality standards were updated in March 2018, which served as a precursor to the GSI Criteria table updates.
The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) recently issued guidance on wastewater sample collection for PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). The wastewater sampling guidance can be used for compliance with the new PFAS Industrial Pretreatment Program (IPP) requirements. The wastewater PFAS sampling guidance covers sampling equipment, equipment decontamination, sample collection and handling, field clothing, personal protective equipment (PPE), and sample shipment.
The U.S. EPA is making plans for community engagement events in states that are being impacted by PFAS contamination. The first two states listed for the community engagement events are New Hampshire and Michigan.
The State of Michigan has strengthened its lead and copper rules for drinking water. The changes were filed on June 14, 2018, and are now part of the official state statute. These changes wrap-up a year-long administrative process between the MDEQ and the governor’s office. With these changes, Michigan now has the strictest lead in drinking water rules in the country. The highlights of the changes to the lead in drinking water rules, include:
Merit Laboratories’ band of chemists are taking the show on the road for two simultaneous Michigan environmental events on June 12th and 13th: the 2018 Michigan Environmental Compliance Conference (MECC) in Lansing and the 8th Annual AIPG Michigan Section Technical Workshop on Higgins Lake in Roscommon.
Sample collection for PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl substances) requires an experienced environmental professional to eliminate and reduce potential field issues that could impact analytical test results. To support our clients’ PFAS sample collection efforts, Merit provides sample collection kits to ensure the proper sample volume is collected, along with appropriate preservatives and sample containers.
It must be noted that the sample collection container type, volume, and preservatives are dependent upon the sample matrix and analytical method. Here are the standard guidelines for the PFAS sample collection kits provided by Merit:
Many of the longer chain carbon compounds analyzed as part of PFAS testing have long chemical names and can be tricky to differentiate. At Merit Laboratories, we’re always working to find ways to make it easy for our clients. To help you out, here’s a list of acronyms used for commonly-analyzed polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
