Meet SCS Professionals, including Christine Stokes – Project Manager in our Suffern, NY, office, at NEWMOA’s Science of PFAS Conference: Public Health & The Environment, at the Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center in Framingham, MA, December 1 and 2.
The conference will also feature poster sessions, exhibits, and plenty of networking opportunities.
The conference is hosted by the Northeast Waste Management Officials’ Association (NEWMOA), a non-profit, non-partisan interstate association composed of state environment agency programs that address pollution prevention, toxics use reduction, sustainability, materials management, hazardous waste, solid waste, emergency response, waste site cleanup, underground storage tanks, and related environmental challenges in the northeast states.
Click for more conference details and registration information
Meet SCS Engineers professionals at Air & Waste Management Association’s 113th Annual Conference and Exhibition – “ACE 2020 Gateway to Innovation”, June 29 – July 2 in San Francisco. Several of our professionals will deliver technical presentations, and SCS will also have a booth.
Environmental leadership will be the foundation of ACE 2020, embracing innovation and forward-looking vision to address the challenges posed by climate change, sustainability, and mitigation of environmental impacts while accommodating growth.
Technical program highlights
“Strategies for Climate Change Planning and Adaptation for Waste Management Facilities”
Jacob Shepherd is a Senior Project Professional specializing in air compliance and reporting within EPA Region III. He is experienced in environmental engineering, air compliance, renewable energy, landfill and landfill gas engineering, and environmental services throughout the mid-Atlantic region, and is a Professional Engineer licensed in Virginia.
“Uncertainty EPA has Created with New NSPS XXX and Cf Rules”
Gabrielle Fourie Stephens has 13 years of experience in environmental consulting, all with SCS. She has been involved in numerous projects related to air permitting and compliance with solid waste regulations, including landfill gas (LFG) surface and perimeter monitoring, LFG assessment, and perimeter probe design and installation.
“Air and Waste Issues in the Agricultural Industry”
Ryan Christman is a Project Professional with SCS Engineers specializing in air compliance and reporting. He is experienced in environmental engineering, air compliance, air emissions calculations, environmental management information systems (EMIS), and landfill gas engineering services.
Jeff Marshall is a Vice President of SCS Engineers, Environmental Services Practice Leader for SCS offices in the Mid-Atlantic region, and our National Expert in Innovative Technologies. His over 35 years of experience include a diversified background in project engineering and management, with emphasis on environmental chemistry and human health risk issues.
“Multidisciplinary Strategies for Greenhouse Gas Reductions”
Cassandra Drotman Farrant is experienced in environmental consulting, specializing in environmental assessment and greenhouse gas (GHG) verification. She has participated in many GHG verification projects throughout the U.S. and has completed approximately 70 Phase I Environmental Assessments (ESAs) in California, Oregon, and Washington.
Over 35 panels featuring experts who will discuss the latest issues in technology and regulation including:
The conference will feature over 50 sessions, organized into 17 tracks on the latest environmental topics, including:
Click for more information and to register
Meet SCS Engineers professionals at the Tennessee Environmental Network Show of the South (TENSOS) in Chattanooga, Tennessee, May 13-15.
The conference features eight breakout sessions covering a wealth of topics including sustainability in the recycling industry, climate change solutions, beneficial reuse, brownfields, solid waste management, air quality updates, PFAS, site closure, water regulations, recovered materials, resource conservation, stormwater management, NSPS landfills, vapor intrusion, CWD, emerging contaminants, nuclear waste, asbestos, hazardous waste, air dispersion modeling, CCR pond closures, and much more!
The TENSOS conference and exhibition is the largest, most comprehensive and diverse environmental education opportunity in Tennessee, and will be attended by over 1,000 Local, State, and Federal Government Officials, Business and Industry Leaders, Attorneys, Consultants, Engineers, Developers, Land Owners, Architects, Agribusiness Leaders, Energy Experts, Water Planning Districts, Universities, Public Health Officials, Solid Waste, Enviro-Tech, and Recycling Experts, and many, many others with a strong interest in environmental activities in Tennessee and the Southeast region.
The long-running Environmental Show of the South was known across the region for providing high quality technical education at an affordable cost. The conference connected the regulated community with government and other professionals in a meaningful way that improved environmental compliance throughout Tennessee. While the Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation (TDEC) is no longer managing this event, it nevertheless is playing an active role in developing the agenda for this year’s conference.
Click for more information and to register
Meet SCS’s Wastewater Treatment Director, Dr. Viraj deSilva at the Emerging Contaminants Summit in Westminster, Colorado, March 10-11, 2020.
The Emerging Contaminants Summit is the only environmental conference that comprehensively addresses mitigating the presence of these contaminants across all environmental media including surface water, groundwater, drinking water, wastewater, recycled water, soils and sediments.
The Summit brings together renowned industry leaders to share insights and learn from one another. Leaders and key stakeholders from academia, government, regulatory community as well as site owners, private consulting agencies and various other environmental professionals attend and present at the summit.
At the conference, you will discover cutting-edge developments based on completed projects and/or conclusive evidence within the environmental health, science and engineering fields; learn about current theoretical and practical aspects of environmental health, science and engineering as well as related industry-specific topics of interest; have the opportunity to evaluate the latest technologies and products and interact directly with suppliers; and network with hundreds of top industry professionals at two receptions, breakfasts, lunches and various networking breaks.
Waste 360 will host its Global Waste Management Symposium 2020 at the Hyatt Regency Resort & Spa in Indian Wells, California, February 23-26, 2020.
The conference will feature world-class content, including innovative presentations by top industry experts; think technology, trends, critical issues, and scientific innovation; state-of-the-art breakthrough research; and showcases by leading suppliers of the latest solutions to the industry’s challenges. SCS Engineers professionals speaking this year include the following:
James Law will provide an Overview of ISWA’s Global Initiative on Closing Dumps, on Monday, February 24 at 2:00 pm (Track B: Waste Management Planning & Odor Control).
Alex Stege will evaluate the Local Effects of California’s Senate Bill 1383: Changes to Organic Waste Disposal & Impacts on Methane Generation, Recovery, and Emissions on Monday, February 24 at 2:00 pm (Track C: Organic Management Policy/Strategies).
Dr. Viraj DeSilva will deliver a presentation on PFAS Treatment – The Devil We Know and Need to Manage, on Tuesday, February 25 at 8:30 am (Track A: PFAS Management).
Dr. Gomathy Iyer will discuss the Suitability of Un-Composted Grass Clippings and Biosolids as Biocovers for Biological Methane Removal from Landfills on Tuesday, February 25 at 8:30 am (Track B: Landfill Covers).
Ray Huff will demonstrate The WAG: An Innovation in Landfill Gas Data Analysis on Tuesday, February 25 at 1:30 pm (Track B: Landfill Gas Management) and at the Fugitive Air Emissions Workshop on Wednesday, February 26 at 10:00 am.
Pat Sullivan will provide a Comparison of Organic Waste Management Options in Terms of Air Quality and GHG Impacts on Tuesday, February 25 at 3:30 pm (Track A: Life Cycle Assessment).
The Environmental Research & Education Foundation (EREF) is a strategic partner of this conference to deliver a program that is more technical, innovative and essential than ever before. The core education of GWMS is the submission of comprehensive abstracts in all areas related to solid waste engineering and management that have been vetted by GWMS’s committee of industry experts. The presentations will be given by researchers from top academic institutions and industry experts.
For the complete agenda, updates, and to register, visit the conference website.
SCS Engineers professionals Dr. Viraj deSilva and Manuel Hernandez will present at the 2020 Joint Summit between SWANA Florida and Recycle Today Florida, January 26-28, at the Wyndham Lake Buena Vista in the Disney Springs Resort Area of Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
Make plans now to participate in Florida’s leading education and networking event for recycling and solid waste management professionals. Recycle Florida Today and the SWANA FL Sunshine Chapter are partnering again to host the 2020 Joint Summit. Attendees can earn CEUs.
Click for the program and registration information.
When a release of PFAS occurs at a metal finishing facility, it is often due to the integrity of the wastewater system. Due to the persistence of PFAS and very low concentrations considered to be toxic, even water containing a small amount of PFAS can result in a large impact on the environment. If water can migrate into the subsurface, so can PFAS. Once in the soil, any water introduced into the soil can transport the PFAS into the groundwater.
The Californian chrome plating facilities are being required to test for PFAS even if there is no evidence of historical contamination at the property from any chemicals. Current testing is requiring the analysis of 25 different kinds of PFAS, including PFOS and 6:2 FTS.
Because such low concentrations of PFAS are considered to be toxic and their prevalence in common consumer products and tools, false-positive detections are common during the investigations for PFAS. False positives detections can lead to unnecessary expense and additional investigations. Therefore, selecting a knowledgeable, skilled, and experienced environmental consulting firm, is paramount to keeping the investigation as low cost as possible.
The author is Lynleigh Love a Senior Professional Geologist at SCS Engineers specializing in emerging contaminants.
To purchase, read, or cite this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/00202967.2020.1696597
(2020) Upcoming mandatory testing requirements for chromium plating facilities, Transactions of the IMF, 98:1, 6-7, DOI: 10.1080/00202967.2020.1696597.
PFAS are a class of synthetic fluorinated chemicals used in many industrial and consumer products, including defense‐related applications and firefighting. They are persistent, found at low levels in the environment, and bio‐accumulate. Studies have shown these compounds being detected more often.
The USEPA is positioned to take serious action on PFAS in 2020, regulators in many states have already started to implement their own measures, while state and federal courts are beginning to address legal issues surrounding this emerging contaminant.
SCS Engineers has created a library of PFAS articles and resources for industry associations, local, state, and federal agencies, and the public. This SCS blog is a list of information and educational material related to emerging contaminants. As we add new materials we will send updates via the SCS Engineers blog and social media sites.
At SCS, your privacy is assured. We encourage you to share these resources using your email or social media account; you can do this from each website page using the light blue icons shown on the left side of each resource.
January 2020
As concern from the presence of polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, rises, actions are being taken to address the chemicals on military installations. While specific actions vary according to circumstances at each location, the military is acting to address affected drinking water through a number of programs. This article published in The Military Engineer, No. 725 …
January 2020
PFAS are also key components in aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), which is used to fight petroleum-based fires at aviation and manufacturing facilities. For decades, AFFF containing PFAS has been used extensively at airports throughout the world to protect the safety of passengers, crew, and others. The FAA requires that commercial airports train with, calibrate equipment …
January 2020
The California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) issued an order requiring mandatory environmental assessments at 271 chrome plating facilities. SCS explains why the facilities should comply, what to plan for, what to sample, and more to avoid civil liability (up to $5,000 per day) for non-compliance. The SWRCB deadline for facilities to respond and take action is very short – January 31, 2020.
August 2019
Measures that will lead to better protection of potable water from the harmful impacts of ‘forever chemicals’ or PFAS. Share this article using the icons at left, or download the article using the icon beneath the window. Other related articles are linked below. The Impacts of PFAS and a Push for Nationwide Standards (Part …
July 2019
Part one of a two-part series looks at the health and environmental implications of PFAS, as well as the lack of research and federal regulation around these chemicals.
July 2019
Part two of a two-part series breaks down the efforts some states are making, as well as steps being taken to manage this chemical waste flow.
March 2019
PFAS chemical removal is essential to keep drinking water clean in communities where PFAS chemicals have contaminated the water supplies. None of the current technologies are capable of both removing and destroying PFAS simultaneously. A combination of technologies may be the best approach in order to overcome the limitations of ionic exchange. A combination of adsorption followed by …
October 2017
Polyfluorinated and perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) are detected in waters around the world, posing a threat to drinking water quality.
BLOGS
EPA Announces New Method to Test for Additional PFAS in Drinking Water
December 19, 2019
Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) took another key step in implementing the agency’s PFAS Action Plan by announcing a new validated method for testing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water. This new validated test method complements other actions…
USEPA Alert: Proposed Regulatory Determination for PFOS and PFOA at OMB
December 4, 2019
Yesterday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sent the proposed regulatory determination for perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in drinking water to the Office of Management and Budget for interagency review. This step is important …
Are you ready? Detection and Treatment Options to Address PFAS November 2019
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are receiving increasing attention from regulators and the media. Within this large group of compounds, much of the focus has been on two long-chain compounds that are non-biodegradable in the environment: PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate) and PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid). Long detected in most people’s bodies, research now shows how “forever chemicals” …
PFAS Treatment – The Devil We Know and Need to Manage November 2019
PFAS are a class of synthetic fluorinated chemicals used in many industrial and consumer products, including defense‐related applications. They are persistent, found at low levels in the environment, and bio‐accumulate. Studies have shown these compounds being detected more often in surface water, sediments and/or bioaccumulated into fish tissue. Because of the greater affinity of …
Chrome Plating Facilities to Meet PFAS Mandates in California November 2019
This week, 271 chrome plating facilities in California received an order from the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) mandating the investigation of Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at their facilities. Up until 2016, fume suppressants used by these facilities often contained perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), a variety of PFAS. PFAS consists of thousands of entirely …
Are You Ready to Address PFAS? October 2019
State actions have resulted in a variety of state groundwater standards for specific PFAS compounds, including some that are significantly lower than the USEPA advisory levels. These changes mean new potential liabilities and consequences for organizations that manufacture, use, or sell PFAS or PFAS-containing products, and for the current owners of properties affected by historic PFAS use. Questions for manufacturers, property owners, and property purchasers include…
The Who, What, When, Where, Why of an Environmental Insurance Claim May 2019
The 5Ws of Environmental Insurance An environmental insurance claim is simply the response and mitigation of an environmental issue or event paid for by an environmental insurance policy. Similar to an auto or home insurance claim, a company or individual purchases this type of policy to protect them in case a matter arises about …
Following the release of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s PFAS Action Plan, many states have begun to draft plans and take action to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). PFAS have been used in the production of a wide range of industrial and household products, including fire suppressant foam (Aqueous Film-Forming Foams or AFFF) stored …
FAQs about Wastewater Treatment Analysis for Landfill Leachate April 2019
Managing landfill leachate and wastewater treatment are increasingly challenging and costly for landfill owners and operators. In some cases, publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) are required to impose limitations on liquids received at their facilities, resulting in increased charges, or the POTW could refuse to permit or process the leachate wastewater altogether. These developments are …
ON-DEMAND WEBINARS
December 2019
Join Forester University for this educational webinar as speaker Dan Sola of SCS Engineers, encourages you to take a deep breath regarding PFAS as he walks us through what we know, what we don’t know, and where we are likely heading. Sola’s goal is to provide a deeper understanding of what these chemicals are, how they exist in the environment, what we know about cleaning them up, and how to think about a fiscally responsible management strategy in an environment of fast-changing regulations.
July 2019
Forester University hosted Dr. Viraj deSilva P.E., BCEE of SCS Engineers in their well-received educational webinar “All About PFAS: Emerging Contaminants That Are Everywhere.” Dr. deSilva teaches you all you need to know to protect yourself and your community from PFAS—from generation, formation and environmental release to sampling and analysis. He provides an in-depth …
UPCOMING CONFERENCES
SCS Engineers professionals are speaking at many conferences this year in your region. These are the national conferences where you can learn much more by selecting the conference title.
SWANAPalooza, Atlanta, pending a rescheduled date in 2020
WasteExpo, New Orleans in August 2020
WasteCON, Dallas in December 2020
PFAS are also key components in aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), which is used to fight petroleum-based fires at aviation and manufacturing facilities. For decades, AFFF containing PFAS has been used extensively at airports throughout the world to protect the safety of passengers, crew, and others. The FAA requires that commercial airports train with, calibrate equipment with, and use the best performing AFFF fire suppression systems. AFFF is required to be used at airports and must be certified to meet strict performance specifications, including those mandated by the U.S. Department of Defense Military Specifications.
Lynleigh Love and Chris Crosby of SCS Engineers discuss the risks and issues with PFAS-based firefighting foam used at airports. The authors cover the regulatory climate, contamination investigations, operational and environmental management and litigation, along with alternatives to using traditional AFFF. There are some possible alternatives that can mitigate health risks in your community.
Read this article to help inform your mitigation plan and strategies to minimize risk.
The American Ground Water Trust program is hosting a problem assessment and treatment strategies workshop to find solutions to groundwater contamination from PFAS and Related Compounds, at FSU in Tallahassee on January 8, 2020.
This one-day workshop will discuss:
Many states are confronting contamination of groundwater and surface water from so-called emerging contaminants. Communities responding to groundwater contamination face technical, regulatory and legal challenges. Water providers urgently need to address the resulting health issues, regulations, property values, remediation options, and infrastructure costs. This workshop will help water providers, elected officials, citizens and community leaders with policy, planning and management decisions.
Over 5.000 PFAS (per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances) occur in the world today and many PFAS compounds transform into highly persistent perfluorinated chemicals in the environment. The compounds are connected to several cancers, liver, kidney and reproductive disorders and other health effects.
Workshop participants will learn about the chemistry background, sampling & testing protocols, treatment technologies, cost recovery options and the characteristics of environmental persistence of contamination. Presenters will provide case studies of technical solutions for treatment and remediation. The program will also discuss regulatory and legal solutions to protecting drinking water integrity from a range of contaminants and will consider ways to find funding to pay for treatment of contaminated groundwater.
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