U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
FACT SHEET
Perfluorochemical (PFC) Contamination of
Biosolids Near Decatur, Alabama
December 2009 - Revision 2
Introduction:
The Region 4 Office of the United States (U.S.) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is
distributing this fact sheet to provide information to the public regarding 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), these
biosolids from Decatur Utilities were used as a soil amendment on about 5000 acres of privately
owned agricultural fields in Lawrence, Morgan and Limestone Counties. EPA is coordinating with
the State of Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM), the US Department of
Agriculture (USDA), the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Agency for Toxic
Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), Decatur Utilities and local industries to investigate the
release of PFCs to the environment associated with the application of biosolids at these sites.
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. EPA recently developed drinking water provisional health advisory levels for two of
the 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 or
use PFCs as part of their manufacturing processes.
The Decatur Utilities wastewater treatment plant receives wastewater from municipal (residential) as
well as industrial sources, including PFC manufacturing and use facilities in the area. In 2007, one
of the PFC manufacturers in Decatur notified EPA that it had unknowingly discharged PFCs into the
Decatur Utilities wastewater treatment plant. This action led EPA to initiate an investigation to
determine if the biosolids were contaminated and if the land application of the biosolids had resulted
in a potential release of PFCs to the environment.
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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 of the biosolids agricultural
application sites and from the Decatur Utilities facility. The analytical results indicated 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 tol296 parts per billion (ppb) and PFOA ranging
from 55 to 2531 ppb in the nine soil samples analyzed by the EPA ORD.
Decatur Utilities made the decision to cease land application of biosolids in November 2008, after
learning of these levels of PFCs in its biosolids.
After receiving the screening study results, EPA planned and conducted a series of targeted
monitoring studies (November 2008 - February 2009). Three studies have been conducted to date by
EPA to sample and analyze for PFCs in the area of biosolids applications: 1) public drinking water
systems; 2) ground waters and surface waters; and 3) soils. In addition, a group of local businesses
(Decatur Utilities, 3M, Daikin, and Toray) completed a comprehensive private well survey in the
areas surrounding the land application sites, and provided funding for local public water supply
systems to re-sample raw and finished water.
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). Levels of PFCs detected in the East Lawrence/West
Morgan system were at levels below EPA's provisional health advisory levels of 0.4 ppb for PFOA
and 0.2 ppb for PFOS in drinking water. EPA has received the preliminary results of the September
2009 sampling for PFOA and PFOS in five public water systems in the Decatur area. All
preliminary sample results are below EPA's provisional health advisory levels.
Between January 2009 and March 2009, EPA collected and analyzed samples from 18 private water
wells adjacent to land application sites, and 33 samples of pond water and one stream in or near the
fields that received the highest applications of biosolids.
The final report indicated the following results:
•	Two of the six private drinking water wells sampled had PFOA levels above EPA's provisional
health advisory level and none had levels above the PFOS provisional health advisory levels.
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 businesses.
•	The final ground water sampling results from the 13 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.
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Recent Activities:
In March 2009, 30 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 no detectable levels up to 317 ppb.
•	For PFOS, the results ranged from no detectable levels 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 August 2009, at the request of EPA, Decatur Utilities and a group of local businesses conducted a
comprehensive survey to identify any additional private drinking water wells located within a
specified distance from the biosolids application sites. Twelve wells were identified and sampled
during this investigation. The preliminary results indicate that none of the wells have PFOA or
PFOS levels above EPA's drinking water provisional health advisory. The preliminary report
indicates 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.
Once the data quality review is complete, the report will be finalized and a determination made on
whether any further sampling of these wells is required.
In May, USDA sampled blood and tissue from selected cows/steers from farms where Decatur
Utilities biosolids were land applied in the past. USDA will report the results of the sampling when
they are available.
Industries in the Decatur area have made significant progress over the last few years to reduce and
prevent the release of PFCs. For example, the industries have stopped manufacturing PFOS and are
phasing out PFOA. EPA and ADEM have initiated an investigation to identify industrial and
domestic sources of PFCs to the wastewater treatment plant and to eliminate or reduce the intake and
output of these contaminants to levels that will not interfere with the appropriate land application of
biosolids.
Next Steps:
In collaboration with EPA, the ATSDR will voluntarily sample and test the blood of selected
residents in the Decatur-area to determine the concentration of PFOA, PFOS and other PFCs in
these residents' blood. ATSDR is seeking to test residents who have potentially been exposed to
PFCs released by the biosolids-applied soils or from contaminated well water. Residents eligible
for testing will receive a letter from ATSDR. The testing is free, and will be conducted in early
spring 2010. Results will be mailed to participants within six months after the blood is drawn.
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Individuals participating in the testing will learn the concentration of PFCs in his/her blood, and
will be provided with information on PFCs. Participants will be informed on whether their test
results indicate levels are below or above most people in the United States population. The
individual's blood test results will be kept private, and testing is free to qualified participants.
Individuals participating in the testing should also know that no other
medical tests, diagnosis, or treatment will be offered. Also, 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:
1)	If the PFC levels in their blood will make a person sick now or later in life;
2)	If a person's current health problems are related to the PFC levels found in their body;
3)	Or, how or from where the PFC chemicals entered their body.
Because of the wide spread use of PFCs, most people in the U.S. have some concentration of
PFCs in their body. Once the PFCs are in a person's body, it takes an average of about two to
four years for the level in the body to be reduced by one-half, 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 PFCs. Yet, other studies have not shown the same associations; therefore,
there is still much debate about how PFCs may affect humans. Because many factors can
contribute to health problems, it is difficult to link a person's health problem directly to a
concentration of PFCs in the blood. Testing of a person's PFC blood concentrations can be used
to determine if exposures have occurred.
Additional Information:
Information on PFC contamination of biosolids applied near Decatur, Alabama and other related
topics is available at the EPA Region 4 website:
http://www.epa.gov/region4/water/PFCindex.html
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@epa. gov
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Ketna Mistry, M.D.
Exposure Investigations Section
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
4770 Buford Highway, NE Mailstop F-59
Atlanta, GA 30341-3717
Phone: 770-639-3311 or 1-800-232-4636
When calling, ask for Ketna Mistry
kmistry@cdc. gov

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