Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in New Jersey Soils: A Statewide Investigation

Abstract

The primary goal of this study was to evaluate and quantify per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance concentrations in New Jersey soils. A total of 157 samples were collected from surficial soils in all 21 counties at locations spatially distant from known PFAS contamination or presumptive sources of potential PFAS contamination to investigate potential impacts from atmospheric deposition. Samples were analyzed for 40 PFAS compounds, and the synthetic precipitation leaching procedure was used to evaluate contaminant leachability. All measured concentrations were below the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP’s) current interim residential and non-residential soil remediation standards for PFAS compounds. The results also suggest that the large majority of samples would not exceed site-specific NJDEP’s interim soil remediation standards for the migration to ground water exposure pathway.