Alpha Analytical will be presenting on two PFAS-related topics at next week’s 34th Annual International Conference on Soils, Sediments, Water, and Energy, Amherst MA, October 15-18, 2018.
On Monday, October 15th, Jim Occhialini will be one the presenters in Workshop #3, Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS): The Latest Information. Jim’s presentation, “PFAS Laboratory Considerations” will focus on the analytical chemistry aspects of PFAS environmental characterization and remediation. The assessment of PFAS in the environment can be considered a “moving target” in terms of the gradually evolving chemical, engineering, toxicological, and regulatory body of knowledge associated with these compounds. The same can also be said for the sampling and analytical considerations associated with PFAS. What compounds can be analyzed for, with what sensitivity and by what methodologies? What is the risk of sampling cross-contamination and are their other laboratory associated challenges to be aware of? In addition to the EPA and DoD, many states have been taking the lead in drafting policies and regulations. As such, there are differing requirements in terms of analytical methods, target compound lists, regulatory standards, and detection limits etc. This presentation will provide an overview of PFAS from the laboratory perspective that addresses these questions and the challenges associated with this rapidly evolving landscape.
On Wednesday, October 17th, Jim will be part of the PFAS Sampling and Analysis Issuesplatform session. Jim’s presentation, “PFAS Cross-Contamination Study Update – Follow-up Analysis of Sampling Equipment and Associated Products” is an update on a talk given the previous year with co-authors Alpha Technical Director Phil Bassignani as well as Elizabeth Denly and Michael Eberle from TRC. In this talk, Jim will present a review of last year’s data as well as provide a summary of the latest results of a PFAS cross-contamination study that investigated the potential for the leaching of PFAS compounds from commonly used products and equipment.
Jim Occhialini is a vice president with Alpha Analytical and he serves as the practice leader for the laboratory’s specialty analytical services group. Jim has 40 years of environmental analytical and consulting experience working on a wide range of projects. Jim is very active with a number of regulatory workgroups and industry associations where he has given numerous technical presentations and training programs.
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