Synthesis of Information Related to Highway Practices. Topic 54-01. Practices to Identify and Mitigate PFAS Impacts on Highway Construction Projects and Maintenance Operations

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of contaminants of emerging concern that can harm both ecosystems and human health. These anthropogenic compounds contain carbon-fluorine bonds, which make them stable and persistent in the environment, earning them the nickname “forever chemicals.” PFAS regularly migrate from sources of contamination, including fire training areas at military sites and airports, PFAS manufacturing sites, land-applied wastewater biosolids, and landfills. PFAS can be found at low levels in soils and water far from any likely source. There are currently no binding federal regulations for PFAS. However, the EPA has begun the process of designating several PFAS as hazardous substances. This designation would likely restrict the ways in which state departments of transportation (DOTs) handle and dispose of impacted materials. The objective of this synthesis was to document current state DOT practices for identifying locations of potential PFAS contamination and for mitigating the impacts of PFAS related to highway construction and maintenance operations. Information for this study was gathered through a literature review, a survey of state DOTs, and follow-up interviews with selected DOTs. Case examples of eight state DOTs provide additional information on identifying and mitigating PFAS impacts on highway construction projects and maintenance operations.

• Record URL:
  • http://apps.trb.org/cmsfeed/TRBNetProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=5284

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Completed
• Funding: $55000
• Contract Numbers:

  Project 20-05, Topic 54-01

• Sponsor Organizations:

  State Departments of Transportation (participating member states of American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO))

  American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO)
  444 North Capitol Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Managing Organizations:

  National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP)

  Transportation Research Board
  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Project Managers:

  Gause, Jo

• Performing Organizations:

  Iowa State University, Ames

  Bridge Engineering Center
  2711 South Loop Drive, Suite 4700
  Ames, Iowa  United States  50010-8664
• Principal Investigators:

  Charbonnet, Joe

• Start Date: 20240814
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Best practices; Chemical compounds; Contaminants; Environmental impacts; Highway maintenance; Road construction; State departments of transportation; State of the practice
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Construction; Environment; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01845328
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Transportation Research Board
• Contract Numbers: Project 20-05, Topic 54-01
• Files: TRB, RIP
• Created Date: May 16 2022 5:44PM