General PFAS Information
PFAS Overview
PFAS (Per- and PolyFluoroAlkyl Substances) are a group of synthetic chemicals commonly referred to as “forever chemicals” due to their extreme persistence in the environment and resistance to degradation. The name PFAS encompasses a wide range of compounds with similar chemical structures and names such as PFAA, PFSA, and PFCA.
Environmental Release of PFAS
The environmental persistence and toxicity levels of PFAS was not well understood for decades despite widespread use. Factories discharged wastewater and air emissions containing PFAS, fire suppression foam such as AFFF (Aqueous Film-Forming Foam) used by the military and airports led to contamination of soil and groundwater, and consumer products containing PFAS often end up in landfills where they leach into the soil and groundwater.
CERCLA Investigation Process
The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), refers to a federal legal process that outlines the steps for investigating and cleaning up contaminated sites. The CERCLA process includes the following phases: Preliminary Assessment, Site Inspection, Remedial Investigation, Feasibility Study, Remedial Action (including Design, Construction, and Operations), and Long-Term Management. There are active investigations on the Hawai’i Army National Guard sites in Wahiawa and Kalaeloa. Preliminary assessments were completed in 2020, Site Inspections were completed in 2023, and the Remedial Investigation is currently in process.
View the following documents below to learn more about each of the investigations
PFAS Chemical Properties
The PFAS molecules consists of carbon atoms bonded to fluorine atoms, forming carbon-fluorine (C-F) bonds, one of the strongest bonds in chemistry. This bond is exceptionally stable, making PFAS highly resistant to heat, chemical reactions, and biological degradation. Many PFAS compounds also have a hydrophobic (water-repelling) and lipophobic (oil-repelling) chemical characteristics. This dual nature allows PFAS to form protective barriers against moisture, grease, and stains, explaining their widespread use in consumer and industrial products. However, this same stability and resistance to breakdown are what make PFAS persistent in the environment, contributing to their accumulation in water, soil, and living organisms over time.
Example of a PFAS chemical containing the Carbon (C) – Fluorine (F) bonds