U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
FACT SHEET
Perfluorochemical (PFC) Contamination of
Biosolids Near Decatur, Alabama
March 20 11
Introduction:
The Region 4 Office of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is distributing this fact sheet to
provide information to the public regarding selected perfluorochemicals (PFCs) found in treated sewage
sludge (biosolids) from the Decatur Utilities Dry Creek Waste Water Treatment Plant (Decatur Utilities)
in Decatur, Alabama. For 12 years (1996 to 2008), biosolids from Decatur Utilities were used as a soil
amendment on about 5000 acres of privately owned agricultural fields in Alabama's Lawrence, Morgan
and Limestone counties. EPA is coordinating with the Alabama Department of Environmental
Management (ADEM), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(FDA), Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), Decatur Utilities and local
industries to investigate the release of PFCs to the environment that may have resulted from the
application of biosolids.
Background:
EPA regulations under the Clean Water Act allow biosolids to be land applied as a soil amendment and
fertilizer as long as certain monitoring requirements for regulated chemicals are performed and standard
operating regulations are followed. PFCs are a class of man-made chemicals that, in most cases, are not
regulated by EPA. Therefore, the testing of biosolids for these chemicals is typically not required. In
January 2009, EPA developed drinking water provisional health advisory levels for two PFCs:
perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctyl sulfonate (PFOS). The provisional health advisory
level for PFOA is 0.4 parts per billion (ppb) [micrograms per liter] and the provisional advisory level for
PFOS is 0.2 ppb.
PFCs are used in a variety of industrial and consumer applications and products, including fire-fighting
foams; personal care and cleaning products; and oil, stain, grease, and water repellent coatings on carpet,
textiles, leather, and paper. Several industries in the Decatur area manufacture PFCs or use them as part
of their manufacturing processes.
Decatur Utilities receives wastewater from municipal (i.e., residential) as well as industrial sources,
including local facilities that utilize PFCs in their manufacturing processes. In 2007, one of the Decatur
PFC manufacturers notified EPA that it had unknowingly discharged PFCs to Decatur Utilities. This
notification led EPA to initiate an investigation to determine if the biosolids from Decatur Utilities were
contaminated, and if the land application of these biosolids had resulted in the potential release of PFCs to
the environment.
-------
In October 2008, EPA received analytical results from its Office of Research and Development (ORD) for
a limited set of soil and sludge samples collected from two agricultural sites where biosolids from Decatur
Utilities had been applied. The analytical results from biosolids samples collected from the Decatur
Utilities facility were also reported. The results indicated relatively elevated levels of PFOA, PFOS and
other PFCs when compared with other environmental sampling results from industrial and non-industrial
(e.g., residential) sites. The limited screening data from the soil sampling sites showed PFOS ranging
from 589 to!296 ppb and PFOA ranging from 55 to 2531 ppb in the nine soil samples analyzed by the
EPA ORD.
After learning of these levels of PFCs in its biosolids, Decatur Utilities made the decision to cease land
application of biosolids in November 2008.
Upon receiving the screening study results, EPA planned and conducted a series of follow-up targeted
monitoring studies from November 2008 - February 2009. Three studies have been conducted to date by
EPA to sample and analyze for PFCs in the area where biosolids were applied, specifically looking at:
1) public drinking water systems; 2) groundwater and surface waters; and 3) soils. In addition, a group of
local industries (Decatur Utilities, 3M, Daikin, and Toray) completed a comprehensive private well
survey in the areas surrounding the land application sites.
The first follow-up study was designed to see if PFCs were present in the Decatur area public drinking
water systems. The analyses of samples collected by EPA and ADEM from the public water supply
systems in Morgan and Lawrence counties in November 2008 found no detectable concentrations of PFCs
in two of the three public water systems (Moulton and Decatur). The levels of PFCs detected in the West
Morgan/East Lawrence system were below EPA's provisional health advisory levels of 0.4 ppb for PFOA
and 0.2 ppb for PFOS in drinking water. In September 2009, EPA expanded its public water sampling
event to include the public water systems of Limestone County and the Swann Creek Community. The
sample results from the five public water systems sampled in September 2009 were below EPA's
provisional health advisory levels.
The second study looked for PFCs in private water wells, ponds, and surface waters located near the land
application areas. Between January and March 2009, EPA collected and analyzed samples from 18
private water wells adjacent to the land application sites. Water samples were also collected from 32
ponds and from one stream in or near the fields that received the highest applications of biosolids. The
final report indicated the following results:
• None of the six private drinking water wells sampled had levels above the PFOS provisional health
advisory levels, while two of the wells sampled had PFOA levels above EPA's provisional health
advisory level. These two wells had PFOA levels of 2.2 ppb and 0.6 ppb respectively. Both of these
residences with elevated PFOA levels were quickly provided with bottled water and connected to the
public water supply system by Decatur Utilities and the group of local industries.
• The final ground water sampling results from the 12 other non-potable private wells for PFOA ranged
from no detectable levels to 6.41 ppb and for PFOS ranged from no detectable levels to 0.15 ppb.
• The final surface water sampling results from 32 ponds and one stream for PFOA ranged from no
detectable levels to 11.0 ppb, and for PFOS ranged from no detectable levels to 0.08 ppb.
The third study was designed to better understand if the land application of Decatur biosolids had resulted
in the PFC contamination of the soils throughout the land application areas. In March 2009, 32 soil
samples in or near the fields with the highest applications of biosolids were collected and analyzed. The
final report indicated the following results:
• For PFOA, the results ranged from below the limit of quantization up to 317 ppb.
• For PFOS, the results ranged from below the limit of quantization up to 408 ppb.
-------
In response to the detection of PFOA and PFOS in biosolids-applied soils, EPA released (in October
2009) residential soil screening guidance values for PFOA and PFOS that are protective of children who
might incidentally ingest soils during play. These soil screening values are 16,000 ppb for PFOA and
6,000 ppb for PFOS. None of soil samples collected by EPA in 2007 or 2009 exceeded the soil screening
values for protection of children's health (which are also protective of adult health).
In May 2009, USDA sampled blood and tissue from selected cows/steers from farms where Decatur
Utilities biosolids were land applied in the past. Samples from seven animals associated with "high"
application fields and two animals from "minimally" applied fields were collected. The final analytical
results from these tests indicate the values are below USDA's minimum proficiency level (MPL) of 20
ppb for both PFOS and PFOA. Therefore, these samples are reported as not detectable for PFOS and
PFOA. Based on USDA estimates for human health concerns using the MPL as an upper limit value and
current Decatur area exposure patterns, this testing supports USDA's finding that there is no reason to
believe there are human health concerns with consuming the meat processed from cattle grazed on lands
receiving these biosolids.
Also in May 2009, FDA sampled and analyzed two milk samples for PFOA and PFOS. One sample was
collected from a single cow and the other sample collected from a bulk milk tank from a dairy farm
located in the Decatur area that received limited application of Decatur Utilities biosolids. FDA testing
found no PFOA or PFOS in the milk sample from the single cow. A very low level (0.17 ppb) of PFOS
was detected in the bulk tank milk sample. FDA is currently testing retail milk samples collected
throughout the U.S. for PFOA and PFOS to obtain additional information on background levels for PFCs
in milk. To date, FDA testing found no PFOA in any of the 18 retail milk samples tested. A very low
level of PFOS (0.042 ppb) was detected in one retail milk sample.
In August 2009, at the request of EPA, Decatur Utilities and the group of local industries conducted a
comprehensive survey to identify any additional private drinking water wells located up to one mile from
the biosolids application sites. Twelve wells were identified and a sampling plan was developed. The
sample results from this August 2009 study indicated that none of the wells have PFOA or PFOS levels
above EPA's drinking water provisional health advisory. The final sampling report indicated the
following results:
• For PFOA, the results ranged from no detectable levels up to 0.061 ppb.
• For PFOS, the results ranged from no detectable levels up 0.067 ppb.
In February and March 2010, the group of local industries continued their sampling protocol. In
accordance with the sampling plan and, based on the results of the first sampling analyses, the industries
sampled seven of the twelve initial drinking wells. The final sampling report from this second set of
samples indicated that one of these seven drinking water wells had PFOS levels of 0.339 ppb and 0.365
ppb (duplicate sample) values above EPA's provisional health advisory. The residence with elevated
PFOS levels was quickly provided with bottle water and connected to the public water supply system by
Decatur Utilities and the group of local industries. The final sampling report indicated the following
results:
• For PFOA, the results ranged from 0.0285 ppb up to 0.122 ppb.
• For PFOS, the results ranged from no detectable levels up to 0.365 ppb
In May 2010, the group of local industries conducted the third drinking water well sampling event in
accordance with their sampling protocol. The final sampling report from this third set of samples
indicated none of the six private drinking water wells sampled had PFOA or PFOS values above EPA's
provisional health advisory. The final sampling report indicated the following results:
• For PFOA, the results ranged from no detectable levels up to 0.0398 ppb.
• For PFOS, the results ranged from 0.0100 ppb up to 0.0691 ppb.
-------
In August 2010, the group of local industries conducted the fourth drinking water well sampling event in
accordance with their sampling protocol. The final sampling report from this fourth set of samples
indicated none of the six private drinking water wells sampled had PFOA or PFOS values above EPA's
provisional health advisory. The final sampling report indicated the following results:
• For PFOA, the results ranged from no detectable levels up to 0.0524 ppb.
• For PFOS, the results ranged from no detectable levels up to 0.156 ppb.
Industries in the Decatur area have made significant progress over the last few years to reduce and
prevent the release of PFCs to the environment. The industries have stopped manufacturing PFOS and
are currently phasing out PFOA. Investigations have been ongoing to identify industrial and domestic
sources of PFCs to the wastewater treatment plant. Ultimately, the goal is to eliminate or reduce the
intake and output of these contaminants to levels that will not impact public health or the environment.
In April 2010, ATSDR, in collaboration with EPA, voluntarily sampled and tested the blood of 155
residents in the Decatur area to determine the concentration of PFOA, PFOS and other PFCs in their
blood. The testing was free to qualified participants and the individual's results will be kept. Participants
received no other medical tests, diagnosis, or treatment. The ATSDR investigation targeted residents
who have potentially been exposed to PFCs released by the biosolids-applied soils or from water sources
containing PFCs. Eligible residents received a letter from the ATSDR inviting them to participate in the
investigation. In February 2011, each participant received the test results of their respective PFC blood
levels and was invited to meet with an ATSDR toxicologist to discuss their individual blood test results.
Participants were informed on whether their test results indicated PFC levels below or above the average
of most people in the United States population as referenced in the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES) for PFOA and PFOS.
The ATSDR plans to publish the final summary report in 2011.
Scientists do not definitively know how PFC concentrations in the blood can affect a person's health, and
until more research is completed, it is not possible to know:
• If the PFC levels in a person's blood will make the person sick now or later in life;
• If a person's current health problems are related to the PFC levels found in their body; or
• How or from where the PFCs entered their body.
Because of the wide spread use of PFCs, most people in the United States have some concentration of
PFCs in their body. Once the PFCs are in a person's body, it takes several years for the level in the body
to be reduced by one-half the initial level, even if no further exposures to PFCs occur. There is still much
to learn about the health effects associated with PFCs. Some studies suggest that lower birth weight,
increased cholesterol, and changes in liver function may be associated with exposures to PFCs. Yet, other
studies have not shown the same associations. Therefore, there is still much debate about how exposures
to PFCs may affect humans. Because many factors can contribute to health problems, it is difficult to link
a person's health problem directly to any single measurement of PFCs in the blood. Testing of a person's
PFC blood concentrations can be used to determine if exposures have occurred; however, these
measurements do not tell the timing, magnitude, or duration of exposure.
-------
Additional Information:
Information on PFC contamination of biosolids applied near Decatur, Alabama and other related topics
are available at the EPA Region 4 website:
http://www.epa.gov/region4/water/PFCindex.html
The environmental samples associated with the Decatur Utilities biosolids contain other PFCs for which
EPA has not issued drinking water and residential advisory levels. EPA is currently working to establish
a threshold value for PFCs, including PFOA and PFOS, in biosolids to protect public health through all
exposure pathways, but has not yet completed this ongoing work. Therefore, it is not currently known if
the levels of PFOA, PFOS and other PFCs in Decatur Utilities biosolids are protective of public health.
EPA has not established guidance levels for PFCs, including PFOA or PFOS, in wastewater effluent,
sewage sludge, compost, groundwater or surface water as it has for drinking water and residential soil.
If persons are concerned about PFC compounds in their drinking water, some water filtration devices
(point-of-use devices that are installed at an individual tap, faucet, or outlet) may remove some of these
compounds from water, based on a study conducted by the Minnesota Department of Health. Individuals
should contact the company that makes the water filtration device to determine whether the device is
effective in removing PFC compounds, and ask for advice on how often they should change their filters.
Contact Information:
Connie Roberts
Special Assistant to the Director
Water Protection Division
EPA Region 4
61 Forsyth Street
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Phone: 404-562-9406
roberts .connie (g),epa. gov
CAPT Bruce Tierney, M.D.
U.S. Public Health Service
Exposure Investigations Section
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
4770 Buford Highway, NE Mailstop F-59
Atlanta, Georgia 30341-3717
Phone: 1-888-529-1906 or 770-488-0771
bgt2@cdc.gov
------- |