Coffee Session with Baltic Sea PFAS Network
Join our casual discussions sessions whenever you want, to learn, get ideas, get connected and more.
Who can join? Our coffee sessions are open to everyone who would like to listen. In order to get invitations, you need to register for the network (membership free of charge).
What do we talk about? Usually, we invite someone to present their research and work on PFAS, and other times, we mingle digitally and talk. Someone just throws in a question to the group and the discussion starts.
Why should you join? It is a meeting without a to do list, but endless inspirations and network opportunities. If you can spare one hour a month, it can lead to some future collaborations with the people who you otherwise may have little opportunities to meet.
When are the coffee sessions? Last Friday of the month. You will receive invitations with the topic for the month. You decide if you are interested in the topic and sign up for the session, no obligation. Busy that day? On this same page further down, we write about the coffee breaks afterwards for you to catch up.
Please note that we do not record our coffee sessions.
Read more about previous coffee sessions below
May 26th, 2023 – Enhanced natural attenuation of PFAS – a more sustainable approach
This month, we welcomed Jack Shore from Regenesis. Remediation in groundwater. We know what to do, but do we know how to do it sustainably?
Sustainable PFAS Remediation: the Environmental Impact of Enhanced Attenuation using Colloidal Activated Carbon.
The talk is about PFAS remediation in groundwater. We asked Jack to include in the talk: Do you treat at the source, or where PFAS are spread? How sustainable are the solutions? What is feasible, to eliminate or manage the risks?
Presentation: Sustainable PFAS Remediation: the Environmental Impact of Enhanced Attenuation using Colloidal Activated Carbon
Pdf, 4 MB.
April 4th, 2023 – Cut-off concentrations of PFAS in sewage sludge
This month, we listen to John Jensen from Institute of Ecoscience at Aarhus University in Denmark, about PFAS in sewage sludge.
Safe cut off values for protection of freshwater, groundwater, soil eco systems and human health. PFAS in Sludge and leaching from sludge amends soils directly to recipients. Presentation included theoretical considerations regarding cut-off values in sludge protecting ground water, fresh water and soil ecosystems.
Presentation:
March 31st, 2023 – PFAS analysis methods and forever numbers
This month talk imitator is Raed Awad from IVL, a researcher with a wide experience in the PFAS analysis and method developments.
Raed Awad from IVL briefed us on the different analysis methods.
PFAS 4, PFAS 11, PFAS 21, PFAS 24, PFAS200... and forever numbers of PFAS analysis.
What analysis is suitable for different matrices, what are the challenges for the sample takers and labs, how big is the gap between analysis of target PFAS and unverifiable PFAS in different matrices.
Presentation: PFAS Analyse Pdf, 807.5 kB.Pdf, 807.5 kB. Pdf, 807.5 kB.
February 24th, 2023 – An Upstream sources of PFAS to raw water in lake Mälaren-Görväln
This month talk initiator is Frida Ekman from SVOA Stockholm Vatten och Avfall, presenting the report on mass balance of PFAS flow into the lake Mälaren-Görväln.
Frida presented the case study in Stockholm and method to quantify the occurrence and spread of PFASs. After the report was published, they received many responses that led to further collaborations for a deeper study including more areas of the water body. These will be available autumn 2023.
Presentation: An Upstream sources of PFAS to raw water in lake Mälaren-Görväln Pdf, 4.5 MB.
January 27th, 2023 – Thermal destruction and measurements of PFAS
This month talk initiator is Dines Thornberg from BIOFOS. BIOFOS is the largest WWTP in Denmark presenting preliminary result of PFAS measurements in flue gas and tracking campaigns industries.
There are not many incineration plants who have investigated PFAS. Among the many we have contacted, BIOFOS, the largest WWTP in Denmark with incineration facility, agreed to join the discussion. They have measured PFAS in the flue gas from their incineration plants. In the second half of the session, we heard also about their work with the industry on upstream source tracking.
Presentation slides can be downloaded here, but please note that the information on the slides is not self-explanatory without having listened to Dines’ talk. Data provided in the slides are preliminary and should not be viewed as representative of the whole operation.
November 25th, 2022 – Pilot Scale Thermal Destruction of PFAS
This month talk initiator is William Linak who has talked about the latest study done at USEPA on PFAS destructions tests in combustion.
The test presented in his talk included measuring real time emissions, PIC (products of incomplete combustions) and evaluating the sensitivity of PFAS destruction on temperature.
About William
William Linak is a senior research engineer with the Air Methods and Characterization Division of EPA’s Office of Research and Development in Research Triangle Park, NC. He holds B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Chemical Engineering from Michigan State University and the University of Arizona.
Bill has been with ORD for 37 years and is the author of over 80 peer-reviewed journal publications on fundamental and applied topics pertaining to combustion and air pollution formation, characterization, and control.
October 28th, 2022 – PFAS Data – what is available? Denmark and Sweden
This month talk initiators are Melissa from IVL/Sweden and Anne Mette from Defense minister/Denmark who has presented available database in respective countries.
Mapping the contaminated sites is the one of the first steps towards PFAS work, but many countries lack those databases. Denmark has measurements since 2012, and Anne Mette presented the open database system for polluted sites and its structures. Melissa showed corresponding ones from Sweden. Questions were raised such as “who is managing the site?” “who can edit?” “How often is the database updated” etc.
- Denmark database Danmarks MiljoportalExternal link, opens in new window.
External link. - Denmar database MiljodataExternal link, opens in new window. External link.
- Sweden database
September 30th, 2022 – The use of PFAS as processing aids in inhaled medication
This month, our member Michael Friel shared his long experience in looking into PFAS in inhalers. The usage of PFAS not widely known raised high interests and concerns.
About Michael: He works as a product developer in the area of aerosol delivery systems, AerbeathaExternal link, opens in new window. External link. in both pharma and non-pharma applications. He combines formulation (chemical) with delivery systems (mechanical) to generate the required aerosol particle characteristics.
Program
- Introduction to inhalers
- Historical timeline
- Environmental challenges and solutions
- Resulting consequences and new solutions
Presentation: The use of PFAS as processing aids in inhaled medication Pdf, 1 MB.Pdf, 1 MB. External link.
June 3rd, 2022 – LASTFIRE and the transition to PFAS free foam
This month talk initiators are Dr. Eleanor Lister & Dr. Niall Ramsden from UK who has presented LASTFIRE project and their firefighting foams tests.
LASTFIRE is a project of 16 oil company consortium to review the risk and promote safe Fire Hazard Management approach. Here, they shared extensive fire tests to provide sustainable policies on the selection and use of firefighting foams, from user driven test programmes.
Program:
- Introduction to LASTFIRE and the pragmatic approach to transition
- Summary of research and testing to date
- Repercussions to international system standards
- Non-firefighting performance transition issues
- Interim requirements
- Ongoing assurance
- Outstanding concerns
- Compatibility with equipment and other agents
- Long term stability/storage
- Clean out - how clean is clean
- Containment
Presentation