CDM Smith Presents at Great Lakes PFAS Summit 2020

States throughout the nation, including the Great Lakes region, are finding PFAS cont­a­m­i­na­tion in a growing number of locations where these persistent chemicals pose a threat to people and the environment. 

The Great Lakes PFAS Summit a virtual, week-long event to be held October 26-30, 2020, aims to provide the most current and reliable science and policy. Its goal is to facilitate networking and information sharing, as well as explore current and future research topics related to PFAS. CDM Smith PFAS experts Mark White and Melissa Harclerode will present their knowledge and research at the summit.

11:45 – 12:15, Removal of Perflu­o­ri­nated Compounds and Other Emerging Cont­a­m­i­nants using RO Membranes with Mark White
Perflu­o­ri­nated compounds  and emerging cont­a­m­i­nants; including GenX, PFAS, and 1,4-dioxane; have been detected in the Cape Fear River, the source water for the Brunswick County Public Utilities, NC Northwest Water Treatment Plant. 

This presen­ta­tion will explore the study done in Brunswick County regarding treatment alter­na­tives for emerging cont­a­m­i­nants. Following a successful pilot study, Brunswick County is in the process of construct­ing a new low-pressure reverse osmosis (RO) membrane treatment system. 

11:00 – –11:30, ITRC Risk Commu­ni­ca­tion Toolkit: A PFAS Focus with Melissa Harclerode
The Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council (ITRC) PFAS Risk Commu­ni­ca­tion Toolkit was developed by a technical team of academia, responsible parties, regulatory agencies, and consultants to help prac­ti­tion­ers implement the risk commu­ni­ca­tion process in a meaningful and effective manner at PFAS sites. 

This presen­ta­tion will provide a brief overview of the eight-step risk commu­ni­ca­tion planning process and summarize PFAS-specific risk commu­ni­ca­tion challenges and stakeholder concerns. It will also highlight public outreach and engagement tools  and  lessons learned from case studies.