Description:
Strengthen your substantive knowledge of some of the most pressing issues confronting environmental, energy, and natural resources lawyers today. Expert Insight Panels will take you on a deep dive into technical issues from the nation’s top environmental consultants and service providers.
AlterEcho
Beyond the Basics: A Deeper Dive into the PFAS Pool
Much like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) before them, development of processes to characterize and manage per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is happening at a rapid pace, but is also undermined by data gaps. PFAS compounds are ubiquitous and pervasive in industry and consumer products, with virtually every American exposed to them. As the scientific community refines its understanding of associated uses, environmental releases and human exposure, what will drive administrative authority decisions, compliance standards, and control technology options for PFAS? In this presentation, AlterEcho will address knowns and unknowns regarding PFAS characterization, options for effective control technologies, and risk management strategies to minimize future liability.
Speakers
Nicole Goers, PE, Risk Assessor, AlterEcho
Geosyntec Consultants, Inc
Subsurface (Vapor) Intrusion in the Hazard Ranking Sys tem – A Superfund Game-Changer (and What You Can Do About It)
In 2017, EPA published rulemaking to add the subsurface intrusion (SsI) component to the Hazard Ranking System (HRS), allowing EPA to consider human exposure to contaminants that enter structures through SsI when determining which sites are placed on the National Priorities List (NPL). We’re just beginning to understand how this change impacts both existing and proposed NPL sites. But, it is likely that it will to some extent result in more sites being proposed for NPL listing. It also will present a significant challenge to regulators who will need to harmonize current HRS methodology with the nuanced judgment required to appropriately assess vapor intrusion. This presentation will explain how SsI was incorporated into HRS, site characteristics that may represent a heightened SsI risk, how best to prepare for the increased scrutiny of SsI in future NPL decision making, and how to address other new issues driving vapor intrusion liabilities.
Speakers
David Folkes, PE, Senior Principal Engineer, Geosyntec Consultants, Denver, CO
Chase Holton, PhD, PE, Senior Environmental Engineer, Geosyntec Consultants, Denver, CO