Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS, have garnered recent attention due to their widespread use, ubiquitous presence in the environment and potential associated health risks, so I decided to focus my discussion on them in this current Division of Environmental Geosciences column.
PFAS are synthetic chemicals, with characteristic carbon-fluorine bonds, that have been extensively used in various industrial applications for many decades, including in our oil and gas industry. Understanding their use and exposure within our industry is important in assessing their environmental and human health implications.
What are PFAS?
PFAS comprise a large group of man-made chemicals that have been manufactured since the 1940s. Unique PFAS properties, including their oil and water repellency, thermal stability and surfactant capabilities, have led to their use in numerous industrial processes and consumer products. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) are probably the two most widely known PFAS compounds, and studies to date have focused on a limited number of the better known PFAS compounds, but there are literally thousands of PFAS with varying potential health effects and toxicity levels. PFAS may be found in firefighting foams, non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, food packaging materials, biosolids and numerous other materials.
PFAS Presence and Use in the Oil and Gas Industry
Our oil and gas industry has historically employed PFAS in various applications, primarily involving extraction, transportation and refining processes. One significant and widespread PFAS use is in firefighting foams, particularly aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF), which are crucial for extinguishing hydrocarbon fires that may occur during drilling, refining or transportation operations. AFFF containing PFAS, notably PFOS and PFOA, have been widely used by oil and gas facilities due to their effectiveness in suppressing fires involving flammable liquids. However, the use of these foams has recently raised concerns regarding PFAS contamination of soil, groundwater and surface water in and around these facilities.
Exposure Pathways
Exposure to PFAS in the oil and gas industry occurs through various pathways. Workers in oil refineries, petrochemical plants and on drilling rigs are especially susceptible to PFAS exposure via direct contact with AFFF during firefighting training exercises and emergency response situations. PFAS may be released into the environment during those activities as well as from storage tanks, pipelines and waste disposal sites, leading to contamination of soil and water sources. The potential for PFAS to bioaccumulate and biomagnify in the food chain causes concern about indirect exposure to these chemicals via the consumption of drinking water and food products sourced from contaminated areas near oil and gas facilities.
Health and Environmental Concerns
PFAS persist in the environment due to their strong chemical bonds, earning them the nickname “forever chemicals.” The persistence of PFAS, coupled with their solubility and mobility in water, pose significant challenges for remediation efforts after contamination has occurred. Scientists at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, other federal agencies and in academia and industry are continuing PFAS research, although the studies to date have linked PFAS exposure with various adverse health effects including reproductive and developmental disorders, immune system dysfunction and increased risk of certain types of cancer, including prostate, kidney and testicular cancers. According to the EPA, peer-reviewed scientific studies have also shown exposure to certain levels of PFAS may lead to interference with the human body’s natural hormones, increased cholesterol levels and risk of obesity. PFAS contamination in the environment furthermore may harm aquatic ecosystems, disrupt wildlife populations and pose risk to human health via contaminated food and water consumption. Additionally, the types and uses of PFAS have changed over time, making it challenging to assess how exposure to these chemicals occurs and how they will affect human health.
Regulatory Landscape and Industry Response
Recognizing the potential risks posed by PFAS, regulatory agencies worldwide have taken steps to regulate and phase out the use of certain PFAS compounds. For example, the EPA has established health advisory levels for PFOS and PFOA in drinking water and has encouraged the development of alternative firefighting foams that do not contain PFAS.
In response to growing concerns about PFAS contamination, some companies in the oil and gas industry have begun to adopt proactive measures to reduce their reliance on PFAS-containing products and mitigate the risk of environmental contamination. This includes investing in alternative firefighting technologies, improving spill prevention and response procedures and implementing stricter waste management practices to minimize PFAS release into the environment.
Future Direction
As awareness of PFAS contamination continues to grow, there is a pressing need for further research to better understand the extent of PFAS use and exposure in our oil and gas industry, as well as potential health and environmental impacts of PFAS. This includes developing more sensitive detection methods, investigating the fate and transport of PFAS in different environmental media and exploring sustainable alternatives to PFAS-containing products and processes. Collaboration between government agencies, industry stakeholders and scientific communities is essential to develop comprehensive strategies for managing PFAS contamination and protecting human health and the environment from its adverse effects.
In conclusion, while PFAS have played a valuable role in various industrial applications, including in our oil and gas industry, their widespread use and persistence in the environment cause significant concern about their impact on both human health and ecosystems. Addressing these concerns requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders to minimize PFAS exposure, mitigate contamination risks, and develop sustainable solutions for a PFAS-free future.
Closing Remarks
In closing, I again thank our DEG membership for permitting me to serve as your 2023-24 DEG president, and I acknowledge the service of my current fellow DEG officers: Mattias Imhof, president-elect (2023-24); Sherilyn Williams-Stroud, vice president (2023-24); Disnahir Pinto, secretary-treasurer (2023-25); and Autumn Haagsma, editor (2022-24). We encourage all AAPG members who are not already also DEG members to consider joining us in the Division.
I can be reached at [email protected].