PFAS
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are a large group of man-made chemicals that have been used in consumer products, industrial processes, and firefighting foams since the 1940s. PFAS are resistant to heat, oils, stains, grease, and water, and break down very slowly over time. These unique properties contribute to their wide use and persistence in the environment. There are thousands of different PFAS. The two most commonly used and studied PFAS are perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). PFOA and PFOS have largely been phased out of use, but other PFAS are still in use today. In chemical and product manufacturing, the use of GenX Chemicals (HFPO-DA) has replaced PFOA, and perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) has replaced PFOS.
On October 18, 2021, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published its PFAS Strategic Roadmap: EPA’s Commitments to Action 2021 – 2024. The roadmap sets timelines by which EPA plans to take specific actions and commits to bolder new policies to safeguard public health, protect the environment, and hold polluters accountable. For more information visit EPA’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap.
Potential Health Effects of PFAS
Human studies have found associations between PFOA and/or PFOS exposure and effects on the immune system, cardiovascular system, human development (e.g., decreased birth weight), and cancer. Animal studies have linked GenX to health effects on the liver, kidney, immune system, and developmental effects, as well as cancer. PFBS has been linked to health effects on the thyroid, kidney, reproductive system, and developmental effects. Human PFAS toxicity is an active area of research.
PFAS in Nebraska
PFAS in Public Water Supply Systems
From 2013 to 2016, the EPA required that any public water supply system (PWS) serving at least 10,000 customers, and a select number serving less than 10,000 customers, be sampled for six different PFAS. No detections of these chemicals above the minimum reporting limits were found in any PWS tested in Nebraska.
The EPA is coordinating a second round of sampling for 29 different PFAS between 2023 and 2025 for any PWS serving 3,300 or more customers, which is required under UCMR 5. NDEE is utilizing a federal grant to offer the same PFAS sampling for free to all PWS serving less than 3,300 customers to offset initial sampling costs.
More information can be found on NDEE’s PFAS in Public Water Supply Systems page.
Statewide Perfluorinated Compounds Inventory
In 2017, NDEE compiled the Final Nebraska Statewide Perfluorinated Compounds Inventory that identified industries that potentially used or manufactured PFAS. The purpose of the inventory was to identify potential sites to prioritize further PFAS studies, sampling, and cleanup. The inventory includes 990 facilities that may have used or manufactured PFAS in their operations.
The inventory identified facilities based on the type of business activity, industry, and/or manufacturing related to PFAS use or production.
Sites were classified as either “high” or “low” priority based in the estimated probability of PFAS use for each general type of industry. Industries where PFAS were historically used were classified as “high” priority. Industries where PFAS were sometimes used, or suspected of use, were classified as “low” priority.
* Final Nebraska Statewide Perfluorinated Compounds Inventory
PFAS in the Environment
NDEE sampled 15 stream locations in May 2019 to perform baseline surface water sampling following foaming events caused by heavy rainfall. The results were below the EPA’s Final Aquatic Life Criteria and Benchmarks for Select PFAS that were established in September 2024.
The Superfund Site Assessment Program at NDEE assists in identifying, assessing, and characterizing sites where hazardous substances are known or suspected to pose a threat to public health and/or the environment. Under the Superfund Site Assessment Program, NDEE is sampling soil, groundwater, surface water, and sediment at several locations across Nebraska based on their proximity to municipal airports and industrial sites identified in the Statewide PFC Inventory. NDEE will be investigating the potential sources of PFAS and will conduct additional assessment and oversight as needed.
The Air National Guard and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sampled soil, groundwater, surface water, and sediment near the Nebraska Air National Guard Base and Offutt Air Force Base, respectively. The Army National Guard sampled soil and groundwater at three maintenance or support facilities in Nebraska; located in Grand Island, Lincoln, and Norfolk. PFAS were detected in environmental samples; NDEE will be evaluating these detections in comparison to EPA’s Regional Screening Levels for soil, Maximum Contaminant Levels for groundwater, and Final Aquatic Life Criteria and Benchmarks for Select PFAS for surface water. There are currently no screening criteria for PFAS in sediment. The Department of Defense will continue to investigate the potential sources of PFAS and conduct additional assessment as needed with oversight from NDEE.
Wastewater Treatment Study
The NDEE State Revolving Fund (SRF) Section received funding in August 2022 from the EPA to determine the presence of emerging contaminants, including PFAS compounds, and to provide technical assistance to water and wastewater treatment operators. NDEE has partnered with UNL (College of Civil & Environmental Engineering, and the Nebraska Water Science Laboratory) to sample influent, effluent, and biosolids at up to 17 municipal mechanical wastewater treatment facilities throughout the State. This information will help the Department understand which PFAS compounds may be found in Nebraska wastewater treatment facilities. The study is estimated to be completed in 2026.
For More Information
Contact NDEE | Phone (402) 471-2186 | E-mail ndee.moreinfo@nebraska.gov