Introduction to PFAS (Forever Chemicals) in Water

In Introduction to PFAS (Forever Chemicals) in Water, you'll learn ...

• The chemistry, sources, health effects, regulatory actions, and risk assessment paradigms related to PFAS contamination.
• The role of regulatory bodies like the EPA in managing PFAS contamination
• The complexities surrounding PFAS use, exposure pathways, and the ongoing efforts to mitigate the risks associated with these persistent chemicals in the environment
• The need for setting Maximum Contaminant Level Goals (MCLGs) and Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for protecting human health, and the challenges in replacing PFAS with safer alternatives.

Overview

Preview a portion of this course before purchasing it.

Credit: 4 PDH

Length: 43 pages

This course provides an extensive overview of PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and their impact on water quality, human health, and the environment. It covers the chemistry, sources, health effects, regulatory actions, and risk assessment paradigms related to PFAS contamination. Discussions delve into the persistence of PFAS, their presence in various products and environmental sources, regulatory protocols, and the intricate health risks posed by exposure to these chemicals.

Key points highlighted in the course include the unique molecular structure of PFAS, their stability and resistance to environmental degradation, the role of regulatory bodies like the EPA in managing PFAS contamination, risks associated with exposure, potential carcinogenic effects, and strategies for risk assessment and management. EPA's initiatives and regulations to address PFAS contamination, such as proposing national drinking water standards, identifying and controlling exposures, and quantifying risks, are detailed.

The course underscores the need for comprehensive risk assessment measures, setting Maximum Contaminant Level Goals (MCLGs) and Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for protecting human health, and the challenges in replacing PFAS with safer alternatives. The course emphasizes the complexities surrounding PFAS use, exposure pathways, and the ongoing efforts to mitigate the risks associated with these persistent chemicals in the environment.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Describe the chemistry underlying the development of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and their unique molecular structures.
• Explain the harmful effects of PFAS on the environment and human health, including their persistence and impacts on water sources.
• Describe the role of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in addressing PFAS health impacts, including relevant regulations and risk assessment paradigms.
• Summarize the EPA Strategic Roadmap for addressing PFAS contamination and the steps taken to mitigate associated risks.
• Explain the significance of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) in establishing standards for contaminants such as PFAS in drinking water sources.
• Describe the regulatory tracks being developed by EPA in partnership with other entities to protect the environment and public health from PFAS.
• Explain the basic chemical and atomic principles involved in forming carbon-fluorine molecules and the resistance of PFAS to degradation and hydration.
• Identify the health risks associated with PFAS exposure, including carcinogenic effects, immune system impacts, and other health concerns.
• Describe the risk assessment process for carcinogens, including dose-response assessment and the descriptors used to express carcinogenic hazard potential.
• Summarize the national drinking water standards proposed by EPA for PFAS, including Maximum Contaminant Level Goals (MCLGs), Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs), and the risk-reduction process.

Certificate of Completion

You will be able to immediately print a certificate of completion after passing a multiple-choice quiz consisting of 20 questions. PDH credits are not awarded until the course is completed and quiz is passed.