Assessing Airborne PFAS Impacts
Understanding PFAS Risks Through Accidental Release Modeling
As the use of emerging technologies increases across industries, organizations seek to better understand the potential environmental and health implications of materials that contain PFAS. One modern example is fluoronitrile (C4F7N), a PFAS compound used in small concentrations within certain insulating gas mixtures for electric circuit breakers.
Key Takeaways
— PFAS release modeling evaluates potential airborne impacts from accidental release scenarios.
— The approach considers chemical properties, equipment details, site conditions, weather, and nearby receptors.
— For most PFAS, short-term limits are unavailable or in development, but available toxicological and occupational data can help guide evaluation benchmarks.
— Results can guide facility design, controls, monitoring, emergency planning, and stakeholder communication.
— These evaluations support responsible environmental management as PFAS science and regulations continue to evolve.
Accidental release modeling is a valuable tool that helps owners, operators, regulators, and community stakeholders evaluate potential impacts from the unlikely event of a chemical release. By applying EPA-approved air dispersion modeling software such as ALOHA (Areal Locations of Hazardous Atmospheres), modelers can estimate how a substance may disperse in the atmosphere, identify potential exposure areas, and support informed decision-making related to facility design, emergency response planning, and risk management.
PFAS-related modeling assessments typically begin by evaluating the amount of PFAS-containing material that could be released under a defined worst-case or credible-release scenario. Site-specific information—e.g., equipment characteristics, local meteorological conditions, terrain, and nearby receptors—is then incorporated into the analysis to predict how concentrations may change with distance from the source of the release.
A common challenge in PFAS impact assessments is the limited availability of sufficient toxicological and occupational data and/or regulatory exposure thresholds for many PFAS compounds. While certain PFAS chemicals, such as PFOA and PFOS, have been more extensively studied, they are often not appropriate surrogates for evaluating other PFAS compounds because their toxicity and chemical behavior can significantly differ. In such cases, a review of the available toxicological studies, occupational exposure guidance, and other scientific literature for similar classes of PFAS can help establish appropriate benchmarks for evaluating potential impacts.
The resulting modeling analysis can provide valuable insight into the potential extent of airborne impacts and support the development of best management practices, preventive controls, monitoring strategies, and emergency response procedures designed to protect workers, communities, and the environment. PFAS compounds often present unique technical and regulatory considerations that experienced experts can identify early in a project Langan helps clients understand chemical-specific behavior, evaluate available toxicological information, incorporate site-specific conditions, and interpret results within the context of evolving regulatory expectations.
As PFAS-related regulations and scientific understanding continue to evolve, accidental release modeling remains an important tool for evaluating emerging technologies and supporting responsible project compliance. Langan’s air quality specialists, PFAS technical experts, risk assessors, and environmental professionals collaborate to develop defensible, site-specific strategies that help organizations understand potential risks and identify practical mitigation strategies. By integrating established air dispersion modeling techniques with an understanding of PFAS science and regulatory developments, Langan navigates uncertainty, proactively driving solutions that consider stakeholder concerns and support environmental stewardship, public health protection, and long-term project success.
Jessica Preston is a Senior Project Manager in Langan’s Austin office with over 16 years of experience in environmental compliance. She specializes in air dispersion modeling, air permitting, multimedia environmental compliance reporting and audits, and state and federal permitting and auditing programs. Preston manages a range of projects in the federal, oil & gas, chemicals, private equity, and building products sectors, bringing deep regulatory knowledge and practical experience to each engagement.