BDA Webinar – PFAS

June 12, 2025

Kindly sponsored by Borehole Solutions, the BDA’s latest webinar (11^th June 2025), presented by Marie Armstrong and Andrew Sykes, of Element, looked at the many challenges associated with Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). Over fifty people tuned in to hear how these synthetic organofluorine compounds, widely used since the 1940s, are renowned for their persistence in the environment and their resistance to degradation, earning them the nickname “forever chemicals.” During the session, Element’s experts, Marie and Andrew, discussed the nature of PFAS, their sources, and the regulatory landscape that is fast evolving in the UK.

PFAS are increasingly coming under regulatory scrutiny, with agencies such as the Environment Agency, DEFRA, and the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) actively working to update standards and address environmental and public health concerns. The addition of 14 new hazardous PFAS substances in May 2025 is a prime example of how the regulatory environment is becoming more rigorous. Against this backdrop, robust testing and management of PFAS have become essential for environmental professionals.

In the webinar, Marie and Andrew discussed the importance of careful planning to prevent cross-contamination during sample collection and site work was stressed, with specific examples of commonly overlooked sources of PFAS contamination, such as water-resistant clothing, plastic clipboards, and even personal care products.

The discussion also touched on future developments in PFAS testing, including non-targeted screening approaches like the Total Organic Fluorine (TOF), which promise a more comprehensive view of PFAS contamination beyond the standard targeted lists, but with challenges in limits of detection that can be achieved. Such advances are vital in an era where environmental consultants and contractors must ensure that PFAS risks are understood and managed effectively.

The practical advice shared during the webinar underscored the importance of rigorous sampling protocols, meticulous laboratory methods, and an up-to-date understanding of regulatory developments. As PFAS become an ever more prominent issue within environmental management and brownfield remediation, this webinar served as a timely reminder of the complexities involved and the expertise required to navigate them.