Jason Conder, Ph.D., (California) and Jennifer Arblaster (Vermont) coauthored an article entitled “Strategic resources for assessing PFAS ecological risks at aqueous film forming foam sites” that was published in Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management on pages 746-752 in Volume 17, Issue 4.

Their coauthors were Jeanmarie Zodrow, Barry Kelly, Frank Gobas, Jamie Suski, Erin Osborn, Meredity Frenchmeyer, Craig Divine, and Andrea Leeson.

Jason Conder is a Principal Scientist based in California with more than 15 years of experience focused on risk assessment and contaminated sediments in contaminated site assessment and management, environmental toxicology, and ecological and human health risk assessment.

Jennifer Arblaster is a Project Scientist based in Vermont who specializes in ecological and human health risk assessment, sediment site characterization, bioaccumulation modeling, and evaluation of environmental quality criteria.

Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management applies ecological, chemical, engineering, physical, and social science research to advance environmental management strategies, policy and regulation, and environmental management. The journal is a publication of The Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry.

Abstract

The use of aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) in the United States has caused concern about the potential effects of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on ecological resources. Moreover, the limited availability of scientific information and a lack of guidance have collectively resulted in significant challenges for ecological risk assessors supporting site-specific investigations and management decisions at PFAS-impacted sites. To address these needs, the environmental science and technology program of the Department of Defense, the Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program, began funding four desktop review projects in 2018. Project teams were tasked with developing strategic guidance for assessing ecological risk at AFFF-impacted DoD sites. The projects focused specifically on ecological risk assessment practices for threatened and endangered species; however, the recommendations and approaches presented in the projects are also applicable and adaptable to common species. The present review provides risk assessors and site managers an overview of how the resources provided in these projects can support ecological-risk-based management decisions at AFFF and other PFAS-impacted sites. Additionally, we synthesize perspectives offered by the four projects on a path forward for PFAS ecological risk assessment, including research needs that we recommend should be prioritized by the scientific community.

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About the article:  https://doi.org/10.1002/ieam.4405
About Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry – Wiley Online Library
About Jason: https://www.geosyntec.com/people/jason-conder
About Jennifer: https://www.geosyntec.com/people/jennifer-arblaster