Tag: DOE

Stormwater & residential pollution

Department of Ecology

DoE

One of the main pollution sources from urban and suburban communities is stormwater. Stormwater is rain and snow melt that flows over rooftops, streets, landscaping, and parking lots that can pick up and carry pollution into nearby waterways. Stormwater is not always treated even when it flows into street drains and can be a leading threat to water quality. Due to the significant rain and snow across the state, Washington has become a leader in stormwater management.

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ITRC Publishes New 6PPD Guidance

This new Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council (ITRC) document provides information about 6PPD and 6PPDQ that can help inform future policies and regulations. The guide provides:

  • An introduction to 6PPD and 6PPDQ.
  • Current knowledge of effects, toxicity, and physical/chemical properties of 6PPD and 6PPDQ.
  • The occurrence, fate, and transport of 6PPD and 6PPDQ in the environment.
  • An overview of measuring, mapping, and modeling techniques for these chemicals.
  • Discussion of mitigation measures, solutions, policies, regulations, and laws.
  • An overview of information gaps and research needs.

Read the report:

https://6ppd.itrcweb.org/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council
September, 2024

Guidance for Investigating and Remediating PFAS Contamination in Washington State

Department of Ecology
June, 2023

A brief history of PFAS

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances are collectively known as PFAS. The group comprises thousands of unique synthetic organic chemicals that are extremely stable and persistent. Commercially manufactured since the 1940s, PFAS compounds have been used in manufacturing common consumer products, such as carpeting, clothing, furniture, outdoor equipment, and food packaging. Many industries have also used PFAS, including aerospace, automotive, aviation, electronics, and medical industries. One major source of PFAS contamination is Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF), which is used for fire training and extinguishing petroleum fires and other flammable liquids.

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Survey of PFAS in the Greater Lake Washington Watershed

Department of Ecology
October 2022

Introduction and problem statement

During summer 2020, the Washington State Department of Ecology’s (Ecology’s) Environmental Assessment Program initiated Phase 1 of a field study to address potential sources of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination in resident fish from Lake Washington, King County (Furl and Meredith 2010, Mathieu and McCall 2017, Mathieu 2022).

During Phase 1, we assessed concentrations of PFAS in Lake Washington and in potential contaminant pathways to the lake. The Phase 1 study design included characterization of PFAS concentrations in the lake and its direct tributaries, groundwater discharges, stormwater discharges, bridge runoff, and bulk atmospheric deposition (Wong and Mathieu 2021, Escobedo 2021).

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Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Chemical Action Plan

Department of Ecology
September 2022

Executive Summary

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a family of more than 9,000 synthetic organic chemicals. PFAS can withstand high temperatures and survive highly corrosive environments. They are used in the manufacture of coatings, surface treatments, and specialty chemicals in cookware, carpets, food packaging, clothing, cosmetics, and other common consumer products. PFAS also have many industrial applications and are an active ingredient in certain types of fire- fighting foams (aqueous film-forming foams, or AFFF). PFAS coatings resist oil, grease, and water.

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Critical Aquifer Recharge Areas Guidance

Department of Ecology
March, 2021

Abstract

The Growth Management Act (GMA) requires all cities and counties in Washington State to protect public groundwater drinking supplies so that tragic contamination events and their associated costs can be prevented. Public drinking water supply also depends on groundwater availability. Without replenishment, the amount of water in aquifers can be diminished or even depleted.

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