Experiences with control of PFAS in industries of the world: threshold settings, emission monitoring methods and campaigns

Results of this study are based on literature review, on expertise from Ineris engineers and on a benchmark. The benchmark of existing ELVs/EQSs for PFAS used in industry undertaken for this report is based on feedback from six European countries and five non-European countries, and on monitoring of current projects regarding PFAS. It shows that ELVs in wastewater are mainly set on a case-by-case basis in permits and not at national or regional level. Current discussions regarding surface-, ground- and drinking water, whether it is a question of setting threshold of compounds (list of individual compounds, “sum of PFAS” or “total PFAS”), measurement standards or monitoring are linked for all matrices. The setting of ELVs for air emissions is less advanced. Regarding monitoring, numerous projects and developments are on-going. State-of-the-art from expert feedback shows that, in water matrix, standards exist for some individual compounds. Development of index methods is currently under study and may enable a different approach to regulation (non-target monitoring). In air matrix, standards are in the early stages of development, and feedback is awaited.