What are Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)?
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Affects, Challenges and Regulations
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a complex group of over 3,000 man-made fluorinated organic chemicals that have been used worldwide since the 1940s in industry and consumer products such as non-stick cookware, water-repellent clothing, stain resistant fabrics and carpets, cosmetics, firefighting foams, and products that resist grease, water, and oil.
The most studied PFAS are perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS). PFOA and PFOS have been phased out of production and use in the United States but may still be manufactured and used in other countries.
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During production and use, PFAS can migrate into the soil, water, and air. Most PFAS (including PFOA and PFOS) are resistant to degradation, so they do not breakdown in the environment. As a result of their widespread use and persistence, PFAS are present at low concentrations in the environment and many food products. Additionally, PFAS are found in the blood of humans and animals throughout the world.
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Project Profile: EPCRA Reporting & Compliance
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Blackstone recently assisted a large Midwestern manufacturing facility and several subsidiaries located in multiple states with Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA) reporting and compliance requirements.
Services included EPCRA Section 312 (Tier II Chemical Storage) and Section 313 (Toxic Release Chemical Inventory (TRI)) reporting for the 2018 reporting year.
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Welcome Ed Shepard & Krista Brodersen!
Blackstone Expands in Missouri and Illinois
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Ed joins Blackstone with more than 30 years of technical and managerial experience in Environmental and Civil Engineering and is well-versed with regulations in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Wisconsin, Missouri, Kentucky, as well as other states.
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Krista Brodersen
has joined the Blackstone team as a Senior Project Manager for our new Quad Cities office in Moline, Illinois.
Krista has more than 20 years of professional experience in the environmental field including performance management, Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessments, remedial system installation and operation, and environmental compliance.
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Blackstone Employee Scoop
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Congrats!
Blackstone President and CEO
Michael Kukuk, PG,
has been elected to the KU Edwards Campus Environmental Industry Board (EIB). The newly formed board creates an opportunity for industry professionals and KU environmental program leaders to collaborate on education-to-business pathways, including advisement on curricula, experiential learning and talent development. EIP board members will also serve in an advisory capacity for KU Edwards Campus undergraduate and graduate environmental programs.
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Kudos!
Ed Guernsey, PE,
won this year's annual chili cook-off with his delicious Chorizo and Poblano Chili. Competition was stiff, including Turkey Time, Veg Head and Pork and Beans chili varieties. Former chili champ,
Rowley Tedlock,
presented Ed with the 2019 award.
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Way to go!
Environmental Geologist
Mat Edwards
is on the run to raise money for the American Cancer Society.
He and his wife, Jenny, have run 22 marathons combined to date. Over the past year, the couple has raised $5,000 and
participated in Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, Minnesota; the Chicago Marathon; the Breckenridge Half Marathon; and will run the Rocket City Marathon in Huntsville, Alabama, this weekend! Matt and Jenny plan to do more events next year and hope to raise an even bigger sum for the American Cancer Society.
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The Blackstone team participated in several conferences this fall, including the Midwest A&WMA Technical Conference, the Iowa Recycling and Waste Management Conference, the Kansas Solid Waste Management Conference, the Environmental Federation of Oklahoma Annual Meeting and the Growing Sustainable Communities Conference in Dubuque, Iowa. Hopefully, we had a chance to connect with you at one of these of events! If not, we'll plan to see you in 2020.
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Overland Park, KS
913.495.9990
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Des Moines, IA
515.473.0978
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Iowa City, IA
319.331.1577
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St, Louis, Missouri
314.392.7870
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Moline, Illinois
314.392.7870
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