Report to the Committee on the Environment and Natural Resources

131st Legislature, Second Session

Report on the Testing of Landfill

Leachate for Perfluoroalkyl and
Polyfluoroalkyl Substance
Contamination
January 2024

Contacts:

Carla Hopkins
Director, Division of Materials Management
207-446-4366
[email protected]

Molly King, L.G.

Director, Division of Technical Services
207-458-8839
[email protected]

MAINE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

17 State House Station | Augusta, Maine 04333-0017
www.maine.gov/dep
Maine Department of Environmental Protection Testing of Landfill Leachate for Perfluoroalkyl and
Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Contamination

Executive Summary
This report is submitted to the Joint Standing Committee on Environment and Natural Resources
pursuant to Public Law 2021, Chapter 478 which requires the Department of Environmental
Protection (Department) to submit a report to the Legislature regarding the testing of landfill
leachate for PFAS, the results of the testing, and any recommendations.

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Maine Department of Environmental Protection Testing of Landfill Leachate for Perfluoroalkyl and
Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Contamination

I. Introduction and Background

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) refer to a group of man-made chemicals widely used in
consumer products and industrial settings. There are thousands of varieties of these chemicals and
as early as the 1940's, PFAS 1 were widely in use. These chemicals were also historically used in
firefighting foams due to their effectiveness at quickly extinguishing petroleum-based fires. Because
they have a unique ability to repel oil, grease, water, and heat, PFAS are found in many products that
consumers commonly use. For example, PFAS have been used to make non-stick cookware, stain
resistant carpets and furniture, water-resistant clothing, heat-resistant paper/cardboard food
packaging (like microwave popcorn bags and pizza boxes), and personal care products. PFAS break
down very slowly and are persistent in the environment. This means that PFAS may build up in
people, animals, and the environment over time. Health agencies like the U.S. Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) are actively assessing the health effects of low level, long-term
exposure to PFAS, but have suggested that health impacts from PFAS may include 2 the following:

• Increased cholesterol levels;

• Changes in liver enzymes;
• Small decreases in infant birth weights;
• Decreased vaccine response in children;
• Increased risk of high blood pressure or pre-eclampsia in pregnant women; and
• Increased risk of kidney or testicular cancer.

PFAS have been found throughout Maine including, but not limited to, at agricultural sites, in public
and private drinking water supplies, in precipitation, 3 in surface waters, in landfills, in wastewater
effluent, at sludge and septage spreading sites, and at remediation and cleanup sites. In general,
PFAS can enter the environment through direct releases from specific PFAS-containing products
(e.g., certain firefighting foams, and consumer product wastes such as food packaging), as well as
from more generalized waste streams including sludge and septage, leachate, wastewater effluent,
and air emissions. Many of these pathways are still being studied and evaluated to better understand
how PFAS get into and move through the environment.

This report focuses on the Department’s landfill leachate testing initiative conducted in accordance
with P.L. 2021, Ch. 478, An Act To Investigate Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Contamination of
Land and Groundwater. The law requires the Department to develop and implement a program for
the testing of leachate collected and managed by solid waste landfills for PFAS. The law also
requires the Department to report to the Joint Standing Committee on Environment and Natural
Resources the results of the leachate PFAS testing and provide any recommendations on or before
January 15, 2024.

1 PFAS used early on were mostly PFOA and PFOS. In the early 2000's, manufacturers of these specific PFAS began to
phase-out these compounds, Fact Sheet: 2010/2015 PFOA Stewardship Program | US EPA.
2 Taken from the U.S. CDC website, November 2022; Potential health effects of PFAS chemicals | ATSDR (cdc.gov).
3 Offenberg, John H. (2022). Initial assessment of a pilot program for measuring Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances

(PFAS) in wet deposition in the eastern United States.

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Maine Department of Environmental Protection Testing of Landfill Leachate for Perfluoroalkyl and
Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Contamination

II. Description of the Landfill Leachate Testing Program

P.L. 2021, Ch. 478 became law in July 2021 with an effective date of October 18, 2021. The
Department identified 25 landfills (Figure 1) which collect and manage leachate that would be
required to test their leachate for PFAS in accordance with the law. In September 2021, the
Department notified the 25 landfills and provided a letter outlining the program and its
corresponding expectations. Each facility was required to test leachate each fall and spring through
2023 for a total of five sampling rounds. Samples were to be collected at a location that is
representative of leachate from the landfills (i.e., not from an open leachate pond that also collects
precipitation). At a minimum, the leachate was to be analyzed for a list of 28 PFAS (see Attachment
1 for listing of parameters and their abbreviations), with the Sum of the 6 PFAS (PFOA, PFOS,
PFHpA, PFHxS, PFNA, and PFDA) comprising the current Maine Interim Drinking Water
Standard (per P.L. 2021, Ch. 82) being reported for comparison purposes.

The program required facilities and their contractors to follow strict and up-to-date guidance when
collecting and handling samples, and all samples were to be analyzed as a wastewater matrix by an
accredited and Department-approved laboratory. Data were to be submitted to the Department in
the most current Electronic Data Deliverable (EDD) format, along with a .pdf copy of the complete
laboratory report including quality control and quality assurance information within 15 days of
receipt. Following the Department’s data quality review, the data were uploaded to the
Department’s Environmental and Geographic Analysis Database (EGAD). The results of the
sampling were posted on the Department’s website following each seasonal sampling round. 4
Figure 1 shows the locations of the 25 landfills in Maine required to sample leachate for PFAS under
this initiative.

4 For this study, leachate sample results displayed on the website contained the individual and summation of only the six

PFAS comprising the current Maine Interim Drinking Water Standard for ease of reporting.

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Maine Department of Environmental Protection Testing of Landfill Leachate for Perfluoroalkyl and
Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Contamination

Figure 1. Map of Landfills Required to Sample PFAS in Landfill Leachate

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Maine Department of Environmental Protection Testing of Landfill Leachate for Perfluoroalkyl and
Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Contamination

III. Discussion of Landfills and Current Leachate Management Practices

Table 1 contains leachate production and management information for the 25 landfills required to
sample leachate for PFAS under this initiative. Eighteen of the landfill facilities required to test their
leachate for PFAS are active facilities and seven are closed facilities. Average annual leachate
generation from 2021 through 2023 ranged from approximately 1,800,000 gallons per year (Sanford)
to 55,241,000 gallons per year (Androscoggin Mill), with the average volume of leachate generated
per year being approximately 18,720,000 gallons. A majority of the landfill facilities tested (22 out of
25) treat their leachate at a Department-licensed wastewater treatment facility, a majority being
discharged or pumped to a municipal facility and the remaining being treated at either an on-site or
off-site industrial facility. The other three landfill facilities manage their leachate through a series of
on-site treatment ponds and discharge treated leachate to surface water bodies (Brunswick and
Bucksport Mill) or spray irrigate fields with the treated leachate (Presque Isle) in accordance with a
Department-issued wastewater discharge license.

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Maine Department of Environmental Protection Testing of Landfill Leachate for Perfluoroalkyl and
Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Contamination

Table 1. Leachate Production and Management Information for Landfills Required to Sample Leachate for PFAS
Avg. Annual
Approx. Size Treatment Facility or
Landfill Facility Town Landfill Status Primary Waste Leachate Volume Leachate Management Method
(Acres) Alternate
(2021 - 2023)
Hatch Hill Augusta Active 67 MSW 12,841,000 Discharged to Municipal WWTP Greater Augusta UD WWTP
Pumped to Municipal WWTP &
Augusta Tissue Augusta Closed 40 Sludge 2,634,000 Greater Augusta UD WWTP
Treatment Ponds
Woodland Pulp Baileyville Active 60 Sludge 47,341,000 Pumped to Facility WWTP Woodland Pulp WWTP
Bath Bath Active 25 MSW 11,071,000 Pumped to Municipal WWTP Bath WWTP
Brunswick Brunswick Closed 16 MSW 2,449,000 On-site Facultative Treatment Lagoons Androscoggin River
Bucksport Mill Bucksport Active 48 Sludge 45,498,000 On-site Leachate Pond Penobscot River
Dolby East Millinocket Closed 158 Sludge 52,950,000 Hauled to Municipal WWTP East Millinocket WWTP
SAPPI Mill Fairfield Active 75 Sludge 25,538,000 Pumped to Facility WWTP SAPPI WWTP
Tri-Community Fort Fairfield Active 39 MSW and Sludge 11,128,000* Pumped to Municipal WWTP Caribou UD WWTP
Twin Rivers Mill Frenchville Active 23 Sludge 8,783,000 Hauled to Facility WWTP Twin Rivers WWTP
Pine Tree Hampden Closed 58 Special Waste 8,900,000* Pumped to Municipal WWTP Bangor WWTP
Hartland Hartland Active 8 Sludge, Tannery Waste 7,187,000* Pumped to Municipal WWTP Hartland WWTP
Androscoggin Mill Jay Active 65 Sludge 55,241,000* Pumped to Facility WWTP Androscoggin Mill WWTP
LAWPCA Lewiston Closed 15 Sludge NR Pumped to Municipal WWTP Lewiston WWTP
Lewiston Lewiston Active 15 MSW Ash 4,637,000* Pumped to Municipal WWTP Lewiston WWTP
Anson-Madison Sanitary District Madison Closed 5 Sludge 4,352,000* Pumped to Municipal WWTP Anson-Madison WWTP
ND Paper Mexico Active 37 Sludge 28,855,000 Pumped to Facility WWTP ND Paper WWTP
Crossroads Norridgewock Active 154 Special Waste 24,659,000* Hauled to Facility WWTP Anson-Madison WWTP
Juniper Ridge Old Town Active 122 Special Waste 17,446,000 Hauled to Facility WWTP ND Paper WWTP
Presque Isle Presque Isle Active 17 MSW 3,982,000* Soil Attenuation at Spray Irrigation Fields Spray Irrigation Fields
Rockland Quarry Rockland Active 9 CDD 21,377,000 Pumped to Municipal WWTP Rockland WWTP
Mid-Coast Solid Waste Quarry Rockport Active 6 CDD 19,676,000 Pumped to Municipal WWTP Camden WWTP
Sanford Sewerage District Sanford Active 5 Sludge 1,776,000 Pumped to Municipal WWTP Sandford WWTP
Kimberly Clark Larson-Chapman Scarborough Closed 36 Sludge 2,895,000 Pumped to Municipal WWTP Portland WWTP
ecomaine South Portland Active 84.2 MSW Ash 28,164,000 Pumped to Municipal WWTP Portland WWTP
MSW = Municipal Solid Waste
CDD = Construction Demolition Debris
MSW Ash = Incinerated MSW
NR = Not Reported
WWTP = Wastewater Treatment Plant
UD = Utility District
Total PFAS = Sum of 28 PFAS Analyzed
Note that many of the MSW landfills also accept CDD
*Average annual leachate volumes between 2021 and 2023 incomplete for landfill facility
For Brunswick, see MEPDES #ME0102113 and Waste Discharge License #W004308-6C-F-R
For Bucksport, see MEPDES #ME0002160 and Waste Discharge License #W000598-5N-P-M
For Presque Isle, see MEPDES #MEU508088 and Waste Discharge License #W008088-6B-I-R

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Maine Department of Environmental Protection Testing of Landfill Leachate for Perfluoroalkyl and
Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Contamination

IV. Results of the Landfill Leachate Testing Program

This section summarizes the PFAS results from 189 leachate samples collected at the 25 landfills
listed above. Every landfill collected at least 5 leachate samples between Fall 2021 and Fall 2023. It
is important to note that five of the landfills collected additional leachate samples from different
sample locations during each sampling round (Sappi Mill, Rockland, Androscoggin Mill, Lewiston,
and ecomaine). This data analysis of PFAS results includes the entire leachate dataset.

The 28 PFAS analyzed in landfill leachate can be divided into the following five groups. Grouping
PFAS by their functional groups is a way to evaluate how the compounds may behave in the
environment and can provide important information for selecting the most appropriate treatment or
remediation technologies. For example, long-chain PFAS are generally more likely to attach to soil
particles than short-chain PFAS, which can limit them from entering groundwater. Additionally,
Perfluoroalkyl Carboxylic Acids (PFCAs) often readily degrade to shorter-chain PFCAs in the
environment when compared to Perfluoroalkyl Sulfonic Acids (PFSAs). Grouping PFAS can also
help evaluate sources as different waste streams (e.g., municipal solid waste (MSW), sludge, special
waste) can exhibit different PFAS signatures. For example, stain-resistant materials and fabrics (e.g.,
carpets, furniture) that are disposed at MSW landfills typically use PFAS coatings that readily break
down into PFCAs. These are generalizations and not absolutes in all scenarios and environments;
site-specific characteristics also dictate how contaminants behave in the environment and how
remediation or treatment technologies may be effectively employed.

1. Precursors: Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl compounds commonly used in industries that typically
break down or transform into more stable PFAS, such as PFOA and PFOS as well as other
PFCAs and PFSAs. This group of precursors includes 8:2 FTS, 6:2 FTS, N-EtFOSAA, N-
MeFOSAA, and PFOA-replacement compounds ADONA and HFPO-DA (GenX). Figures
and tables in this report differentiate between PFCA and PFSA precursors.

2. Short-Chain PFCAs: Perfluorinated PFAS with a carboxylic acid head group and 7 or fewer
carbons. This group includes PFBA, PFPeA, PFHxA, and PFHpA. Short-chain PFCAs have
been used as substitutes for longer-chain PFCAs. Some of the most common PFAS precursor
compounds break down proportionally into short-chain PFCAs.

3. Long-Chain PFCAs: PFCAs with 8 or more carbons. This group includes PFOA, PFNA,
PFDA, PFUnDA, PFDoA, PFTriA, PFTeA, PFHxDA, and PFODA.

4. Short-Chain PFSAs: Perfluorinated PFAS with a sulfonic acid head group and 5 or fewer
carbons. This group includes PFBS and PFPeS. Short-chain PFSAs have been used as
substitutes for longer-chain PFSAs.

5. Long-Chain PFSAs: PFSAs with 6 or more carbons. This group includes PFOS as wells as
PFHxS, PFHpS, PFNS, and PFDS.

Additionally, PFAS summary concentrations are divided into 2 categories:

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Maine Department of Environmental Protection Testing of Landfill Leachate for Perfluoroalkyl and
Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Contamination

1. Sum of 6 PFAS: Includes PFOA, PFOS, PFHpA, PFHxS, PFNA, and PFDA. The current
State of Maine Interim Drinking Water Standard for Sum of 6 PFAS is 20 nanograms per liter
(ng/L).

2. Total PFAS: Includes all 28 PFAS analyzed in landfill leachate samples.

PFAS summary concentrations in this report are often discussed in terms of average and median
concentrations. The average concentration for these data generally refers to one value that best
represents the entire dataset for that parameter. The median concentration for these data represents
the middle (50 percent) value if concentrations are ordered from least to greatest.

A. Summary of PFAS Detections and Concentrations in Landfill Leachate Dataset

(Table 2)

Table 2 summarizes PFAS detection frequencies and concentrations for the 189 leachate
samples collected at the 25 landfill facilities in the leachate sampling program (See also
Figures A3 and A4 in Appendix A). This section focuses on an evaluation of all 189 PFAS
samples collected regardless of sample/landfill location. Some notable observations are
outlined below:

1. 26 out of 28 PFAS analyzed were detected in at least one leachate sample. ADONA
(PFOA-replacement compound) and PFODA (18-carbon PFCA) were not detected in
any of the leachate samples.

2. PFOA and PFHxA were the most detected PFAS, detected in approximately 98% of
leachate samples. PFHxA had the highest average (1,288 ng/L) and median (525 ng/L)
concentrations out of the 28 PFAS analyzed. PFOA had the third highest average (741
ng/L) and median (265 ng/L) concentrations.

3. Short-chain PFCAs were the most detected PFAS group with detections ≥ 95%. In
addition to PFHxA, the other short-chain PFCAs also had some of the highest average
and median concentrations.

4. PFOS and PFHxS were the most detected PFSAs, with PFOS and PFHxS being
detected in 87% and 75% of leachate samples, respectively. PFOS had the greatest
maximum concentration (51,400 ng/L) and both PFOS and PFHxS had elevated average
and median concentrations.

5. N-EtFOSAA and N-MeFOSAA were the most detected precursor PFAS compounds,
being detected in 70% and 64% of leachate samples respectively. Average
concentrations for N-EtFOSAA and N-MeFOSAA were 91 ng/L and 86 ng/L,
respectively, with median concentrations less than 20 ng/L.

6. Longer-chain PFCAs and PFSAs, as well as 4:2 FTS and HFPO-DA (GenX) were
detected in ≤ 10% of leachate samples.

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Maine Department of Environmental Protection Testing of Landfill Leachate for Perfluoroalkyl and
Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Contamination

7. The distribution of PFAS detections were highly variable in the leachate dataset. For
example, median concentrations for HFPO-DA (GenX) and PFHpS were non-detect
(ND) but had maximum concentrations > 2,000 ng/L. The large variability of PFAS
detections and concentrations is likely due to the variability of landfill conditions
including age, size, waste type(s), leachate generation, and other factors.

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Maine Department of Environmental Protection Testing of Landfill Leachate for Perfluoroalkyl and
Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Contamination

Table 2. Summary of PFAS Detections and Concentrations (ng/L) in Landfill Leachate Dataset
Group PFAS Compound Percent Detected Average Concentration Median Concentration Max Concentration
4:2 FTS 10 0.39 ND 11
6:2 FTS 59 51 4.7 620
PFCAs

8:2 FTS 41 14 ND 607

Precursors

ADONA ND ND ND ND
HFPO-DA (GenX) 7 44 ND 2,800
N-EtFOSAA 70 91 18 3,470
PFSAs

N-MeFOSAA 64 86 6.6 6,680

PFBA 95 672 235 3,820
Short-Chain

PFPeA 95 1,043 276 8,570

PFHxA 98 1,288 525 8,970
PFHpA 97 367 136 8,470
PFOA 98 741 265 11,800
PFNA 84 100 21 3,430
PFCAs

PFDA 65 31 4.8 857

Long-Chain

PFUnDA 19 2.44 ND 96
PFDoA 8 0.76 ND 56
PFTriA 2 0.04 ND 7
PFTeA 4 0.08 ND 8
PFHxDA 2 0.02 ND 1
PFODA ND ND ND ND
PFBS 67 397 10 6,620
SC

PFPeS 57 40 4.1 2,900

PFHxS 75 171 33 10,600
PFHpS 46 19 ND 2,290
PFSAs
Long-Chain

PFOS 87 642 131 51,400

PFOSA 30 9.25 ND 701
PFNS 1 0.04 ND 8
PFDS 3 0.37 ND 55
PFCAs = Perfluoroalkyl Carboxylic Acids
PFSAs = Perfluoroalkyl Sulfonic Acids
SC = Short-Chain
ND = Non-Detect (below method detection limit)
Number of samples = 189

B. Summary of PFAS Detections and Concentrations at Landfill Facilities (Table 3)

Analysis of PFAS detections and concentrations in leachate at individual landfills indicates

that there is a significant range of concentrations for individual PFAS among the 25 landfills
sampled (See Figure A1 in Appendix A for a chart of landfills and their corresponding Total
PFAS concentrations). This speaks to the variability of leachate quality across landfills and
at individual landfills throughout time. Below is a discussion of notable observations when
evaluating concentrations of detected PFAS at the 25 landfills sampled:

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Maine Department of Environmental Protection Testing of Landfill Leachate for Perfluoroalkyl and
Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Contamination

1. Average Sum of 6 PFAS concentrations for the 25 landfills ranged from approximately
4 ng/L (Anson-Madison) to approximately 18,540 ng/L (Hartland), with an average
concentration of approximately 2,440 ng/L.

2. Average Total PFAS concentrations for the 25 landfills ranged from approximately 5
ng/L (Anson-Madison) to approximately 27,970 ng/L (Hartland) with an average
concentration of approximately 6,130 ng/L. See Figures A2(a) and A2(b) in Appendix A
for charts depicting average Total PFAS concentrations for each of the 25 landfills.

3. Landfills with elevated average Sum of 6 PFAS concentrations (> 2,000 ng/L) include
three sludge landfills (Hartland, Twin Rivers, and Androscoggin Mill), three special waste
landfills (Crossroads, Pine Tree, and Juniper Ridge), and one MSW landfill (Brunswick).
These seven landfills also had average Total PFAS concentrations ≥ 5,000 ng/L.

4. In addition to the seven landfills mentioned above, average Total PFAS concentrations
were also above 5,000 ng/L at the Hatch Hill (MSW), SAPPI Mill (sludge), Presque Isle
(MSW), and Tri-Community (MSW and sludge) landfills.

5. Two sludge landfills (Hartland and Twin Rivers) had significantly higher average Sum of
6 PFAS concentrations compared to the other 23 landfills sampled. Average Sum of 6
PFAS concentrations were approximately 18,540 ng/L and 13,820 ng/L at Hartland and
Twin Rivers, respectively, while the next highest average Sum of 6 PFAS concentration
was approximately 4,060 ng/L at an MSW landfill (Brunswick).

Average Total PFAS concentrations at the Hartland and Twin Rivers sludge landfills
were approximately 27,970 ng/L and 23,490 ng/L respectively, which were also
significantly elevated compared to the other 23 landfills sampled. The Crossroads
Landfill (special waste) had the third highest average Total PFAS concentration (18,600
ng/L).

It is important to note that both landfill facilities had one leachate sample with
significantly elevated PFAS concentrations compared to the other four samples collected
at the facilities, which skews the average higher (See Figure A5 in Appendix A).
Nonetheless, average Sum of 6 and Total PFAS concentrations are still some of the
highest values at these two landfills even when excluding the potential outlier results.

6. Evaluating the 25 landfills sampled, the average Sum of 6 PFAS concentration made up
less than 50% of the average Total PFAS concentration, indicating that additional PFAS
not currently regulated in Maine are present in landfill leachate at significant
concentrations.

7. Five PFAS compounds, including PFOA and PFOS, were detected at all 25 landfills
sampled while an additional 11 PFAS were detected at most (≥ 75%) of the landfills.
Eight PFAS compounds were not routinely detected (≤ 20%) at the 25 landfills sampled
(Table 4).

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Maine Department of Environmental Protection Testing of Landfill Leachate for Perfluoroalkyl and
Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Contamination

8. Overall, short-chain PFCAs were the dominant PFAS compound group contributing to
Total PFAS concentrations for the 28 PFAS analyzed in landfill leachate (Figure 2).

Other studies 5,6,7 have also shown that short-chain PFCAs tend to dominate landfill
leachate. This is most likely influenced by the breakdown of longer-chain PFAS and
precursors to short-chain PFCAs as well as the shift in industries to use shorter-chain
PFAS in products.

5 Zhang et al. (2023). Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Landfills: Occurrence, Transformation and
Treatment. Waste Management, 155, p. 162-178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2022.10.028.
6 Capozzi et al. (2023). PFAS in municipal landfill leachate: Occurrence, transformation, and sources. Chemosphere, 334.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138924.
7 Chen et al. (2023). Evaluation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in leachate, gas condensate, stormwater,

and groundwater at landfills. Chemosphere, 318. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.137903.

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Maine Department of Environmental Protection Testing of Landfill Leachate for Perfluoroalkyl and
Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Contamination

Table 3. Summary of Average PFAS Concentrations in Landfill Leachate

Avg. Annual Leachate Avg. Sum of 6 PFAS Avg. Total PFAS
Landfill Facility Town Primary Waste
Volume (2021 - 2023) (ng/L) (ng/L)
Hatch Hill Augusta MSW 12,841,000 1,930 10,762

Augusta Tissue Augusta Sludge 2,634,000 561 2,870

Woodland Pulp Baileyville Sludge 47,341,000 207 352

Bath Bath MSW 11,071,000 693 1,573
Brunswick Brunswick MSW 2,449,000 4,063 8,883
Bucksport Mill Bucksport Sludge 43,057,000 21 61
Dolby East Millinocket Sludge 52,950,000 1,201 1,362
SAPPI Mill Fairfield Sludge 25,538,000 1,202 8,735
Tri-Community Fort Fairfield MSW and Sludge 11,128,000 1,596 7,138
Twin Rivers Mill Frenchville Sludge 8,783,000 13,820 23,487
Pine Tree Hampden Special Waste 8,900,000 2,157 5,675
Hartland Hartland Sludge, Tannery Waste 7,187,000 18,539 27,966
Androscoggin Mill Jay Sludge 74,000,000 2,533 4,994
LAWPCA Lewiston Sludge NR 606 907
Lewiston Lewiston MSW Ash 4,637,000 226 673
Anson-Madison Sanitary District Madison Sludge 4,352,000 4 5
ND Paper Mexico Sludge 28,855,000 62 170
Crossroads Norridgewock Special Waste 24,659,000 2,633 18,599
Juniper Ridge Old Town Special Waste 17,446,000 2,066 9,074
Presque Isle Presque Isle MSW 3,982,000 1,512 8,297
Rockland Quarry Rockland CDD 20,050,000 934 2,062
Mid-Coast Solid Waste Quarry Rockport CDD 18,264,000 968 1,920
Sanford Sewerage District Sanford Sludge 1,776,000 759 2,604
Kimberly Clark Larson-Chapman Scarborough Sludge 2,895,000 1,795 3,061
Ecomaine South Portland MSW Ash 28,164,000 873 2,010
MSW = Municipal Solid Waste
CDD = Construction Demolition Debris
MSW Ash = Incinerated MSW
NR = Not Reported
Total PFAS = Sum of 28 PFAS Analyzed
Note that many of the MSW landfills also accept CDD
Average annual leachate volumes based on available data submitted to the Department. Some landfills did not provide complete volumes for all three years

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Maine Department of Environmental Protection Testing of Landfill Leachate for Perfluoroalkyl and
Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Contamination

Table 4. Distribution of PFAS in Landfill Leachate

PFAS Compounds Detected at All PFAS Compounds Detected at Most PFAS Compounds Detected at Few
Landfills Sampled (75%) Landfills Sampled (≤ 25%) Landfills Sampled
PFHxA 8:2 FTS PFBA PFBS 4:2 FTS PFTriA PFNS
6:2 FTS PFHpA PFOS N-EtFOSAA PFPeA PFPeS HFPO-DA PFTeA PFDS
PFOA N-MeFOSAA PFNA PFHxS (GenX) PFHxDA
PFDA
ADONA and PFODA were not detected at any of the landfills sampled.
Bold Text = Sum of 6 PFAS
Number of values = 25 (individual landfill PFAS averages)

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Maine Department of Environmental Protection Testing of Landfill Leachate for Perfluoroalkyl and
Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Contamination

Figure 2. Distribution of Average PFAS Concentrations in Landfill Leachate

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Maine Department of Environmental Protection Testing of Landfill Leachate for Perfluoroalkyl and
Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Contamination

C. PFAS Data Limitations/Gaps

The PFAS results for landfill leachate from the 25 landfills sampled indicate a wide range of
detections and concentrations, which highlights the variability in landfill conditions in the
dataset. In addition to this variability, there are some data gaps that should be considered
for future investigations of PFAS at landfills:

1. Landfill leachate samples were analyzed for 28 PFAS using United States Environmental
Protections Agency (U.S. EPA) Modified Method 537.1 (EPA 537.1 Mod.), which is the
currently established method for PFAS analysis. However, other similar studies on
landfill leachate have shown that additional PFAS are present at landfills that are not
included in EPA 537.1 Mod. For example, landfill PFAS studies5,6,7 have shown that 5:3
FTCA (PFCA precursor) is a dominant PFAS unique to the biogeochemical processes
created at landfills. Since 5:3 FTCA is not analyzed in EPA 537.1 Mod., this PFAS is
missing from the landfill leachate dataset that could significantly influence PFAS
concentration trends. An updated PFAS analysis method is expected to be finalized in
2024 (U.S. EPA Method 1633) which would expand the list of PFAS analyzed to 40
compounds, including 5:3 FTCA.

2. This study focused on leachate samples from engineered landfills that are at least partially
lined and have leachate collection systems. PFAS analysis of groundwater from landfill
monitoring wells was not included in this study. It is clear from the 25 landfills sampled
that significant concentrations of PFAS are present at landfills and in landfill leachate that
have the potential to impact groundwater and/or surface water in vicinity of the landfills.
Additionally, analysis of leachate-contaminated groundwater from unlined landfills that
do not have leachate collection systems is not included in this study. There are over 400
closed MSW landfills throughout Maine, most of which are unlined, that are overseen by
the Department. A subset of these unlined MSW landfills have had PFAS samples
collected from monitoring wells and water supplies deemed at-risk by the Department
associated with these facilities.

3. Studies have shown5 that certain PFAS can be transported by air emissions and are
present in landfill air/gas. Although beyond the scope of this study, analysis of PFAS in
landfill gas has not been fully evaluated as laboratory methods have not been completely
established and validated.

V. Other Relevant Information

A. Bureau of General Services Study and Report

Resolve 2021, Ch. 172, Resolve, To Address Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Pollution at
State-owned Solid Waste Landfills, required the Maine Department of Administrative and
Financial Services’ Bureau of General Services (BGS) to conduct a study of methods to treat
PFAS in leachate collected from two State-owned landfills - the Dolby Landfill in East
Millinocket and the Juniper Ridge Landfill in Old Town. Specifically, the study was to

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Maine Department of Environmental Protection Testing of Landfill Leachate for Perfluoroalkyl and
Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Contamination

identify readily available methods to reduce the concentration of the Sum of 6 PFAS to no
more than 20 ng/L, which is the current Maine Interim Drinking Water Standard for PFAS.
The study was completed and the report, titled “Study to Assess Treatment Alternatives for
Reducing PFAS in Leachate From State‐Owned Landfills” was submitted to the Joint
Standing Committee on Environment and Natural Resources in January 2023.

The study presented results of leachate characterization (quantity and quality), assessed and
evaluated potential PFAS treatment options for the landfill leachate, provided scope and cost
estimates for implementing certain landfill leachate treatment technologies, and outlined next
step recommendations.

The report focused on four technologies for reducing PFAS concentrations in leachate –
foam fractionation, reverse osmosis, electrochemical advanced oxidation process, and
adsorption. Of the four technologies researched, foam fractionation was identified as the
most appropriate technology at the time to treat leachate from the two landfills for PFAS.
The report identified adsorption or electrochemical advanced oxidation as being appropriate
technologies to treat or manage the foamate byproduct of the foam fractionation process.
Cost estimates provided in the report include start up and infrastructure costs. For the
Dolby Landfill, the cost estimate range for the first five years was $15.8 to $22 million. For
the Juniper Ridge Landfill, a cost estimate range for the first five years was $7.2 to $10.4
million.

The report recommended additional steps including continued leachate quality testing which
include PFAS analysis, and pilot testing the various PFAS treatment systems outlined in the
report.

B. Projects and Research in Maine

In accordance with P.L. 2021, Ch. 641, the Department’s Bureau of Water Quality initiated a
program to require entities licensed to discharge wastewater to groundwater or any waters of
the State to sample their effluent discharged for PFAS and report the results to the
Department. The Department identified 105 publicly owned treatment works and 19 private
facilities that are in the Department’s Toxics Program or had a reasonable potential to have
PFAS in the effluent. Analytical costs for the public facilities were funded by the
Department through a U.S. EPA grant, and private facilities were required to pay for their
sampling and analysis. This initiative began in September 2022, and the initial phase was
completed in September 2023. Generally, wastewater effluent was sampled monthly for a
10-month period. Spray irrigation facilities also collected monthly lagoon effluent samples
for a 10-month period before being sprayed and quarterly groundwater samples over a one-
year period. The results of the sampling were made available on the Department’s website in
a November 2023 Report. The results of this phase of the project are also being added to
the Toxscan program for use in facility and watershed analysis and evaluation if there is a
need for future regulation, subject to the U.S. EPA’s development of ambient water quality
Human Health Criteria.

Based on the sampling results, the Bureau of Water Quality initiated a second phase of
sampling to further evaluate inputs to certain wastewater treatment facilities. The public

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Maine Department of Environmental Protection Testing of Landfill Leachate for Perfluoroalkyl and
Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Contamination

facilities with the top 10% highest PFAS concentrations or loadings are currently being
further analyzed to characterize PFAS sources in their collection systems. The purpose is to
assess procedural and/or infrastructure needs to reduce PFAS loadings depending on future
water quality regulation. While this investigation does not directly target leachate
management, a result of PFAS discharge limitations could be that upstream wastewater
discharges, such as leachate from landfill facilities, are required to pretreat their discharge
prior to it entering the wastewater stream at a wastewater treatment facility. Additionally,
certain landfill facilities in Maine are licensed to discharge treated leachate to surface and
groundwater, and these facilities’ licenses and likely their treatment systems, will need to be
modified to ensure that any effluent limitations for PFAS are met.

The Department is aware of multiple projects (pilot and full-scale) to address PFAS impacts
in several media including wastewater, sludge, and leachate. Technologies are being tested
and explored at landfill facilities and wastewater treatment facilities in Maine to address
disposal challenges with several media. Cost estimates to address these problems vary
significantly and have the potential to impact local and/or state ratepayers significantly if
implemented. The Department is aware of the following projects:

Waste Management Disposal Services of Maine (WMDSM) has piloted a foam fractionation
unit to treat leachate for PFAS at its Crossroads Landfill facility in Norridgewock, Maine and
is presently working on a foam fractionation process for permitting at the facility. This will
allow leachate disposal options beyond their current arrangement with a municipal
wastewater treatment facility. WMDSM anticipates submitting an application to the
Department in the second quarter of 2024. WMDSM has also submitted an application to
the Department to construct a processing facility to dry municipal wastewater treatment
plant sludge prior to disposal at the landfill. The dryer would reduce the water content in
the sludge from approximately 80 percent to 20 percent. For more information on
WMDSM’s work, contact Jeff McGown at [email protected].

Portland Water District (PWD) is presently preparing their master plan for sludge
management with a draft anticipated by mid-January 2024. The plan will likely look at two
options. One option may address management and handling of septage and sludge at one of
their facilities. This could include replacing or upgrading equipment and adding digestion
and dryer technologies to reduce volume and delivery frequencies to disposal facilities. The
other option would include off-site treatment of sludge which could include high solids
digestion and thermal hydrolysis with pyrolysis. Any dryer activity would include thermal
oxidizers to control emissions. For more information on PWD’s work, contact Scott Firmin
at [email protected].

Sanford Sewerage District (SSD) is exploring sewage and wastewater treatment options for
the facility. They are working with a company to trial supercritical water oxidation as a
treatment technology to remove PFAS from their sludge. They are also exploring a sludge
and/or septage drying project at their facility. For more information on SSD’s work, contact
André Brousseau at [email protected].

Anson-Madison Sanitary District (AMSD) is implementing a project to create a centralized

facility to receive and treat municipal and industrial wastewater as well as other PFAS-

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Maine Department of Environmental Protection Testing of Landfill Leachate for Perfluoroalkyl and
Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Contamination

contaminated materials such as leachate, septage, and cow manure and milk. This project is
anticipated to include upgrading the on-site lagoon system and related equipment and
installing new chemical treatment systems to remove PFAS from the wastewater. PFAS
treatment technologies being proposed include a foam fractionation treatment system and a
membrane bioreactor, and ion exchange treatment using resin that can be regenerated. A
secondary goal of this project is to progress to destroying all captured PFAS. Destruction
technologies currently being evaluated by AMSD include supercritical water oxidation and
high temperature plasma gasification. This project, like many others, is expected to be
implemented in multiple phases and is designed to allow for flexibility as new or improved
treatment and destruction technologies develop. For more information on AMSD’s work,
contact Peter Elias at [email protected].

The outcome or success of these projects and others should be considered and incorporated
when determining the most appropriate approach to managing PFAS in landfill leachate.

In August of 2022, P.L. 2021, Ch. 641, banned the land application, selling, and distribution
of sludge and sludge-derived products in Maine. With fewer outlets to manage or use sludge
and sludge derived products, Maine was left with many solid waste management challenges.
In 2023, the Department, in collaboration with the Maine Water Environment Association,
commissioned Brown and Caldwell to complete a study and report to evaluate sludge
management practices in Maine and provide recommendations for the future. The report,
titled “An Evaluation of Biosolids Management in Maine and Recommendations for the
Future” was finalized on December 15, 2023.

The Department has requested or completed PFAS sampling of groundwater and/or other
environmental media outside of the requirements of this law as a proactive approach to
managing potential PFAS impacts surrounding closed MSW landfills in Maine. Since 2016,
the Department has sampled groundwater and water supplies surrounding certain closed
MSW landfill facilities. There are over 400 closed MSW landfills in Maine, and the
Department has prioritized sampling the facilities and nearby water supplies by risk,
sampling those determined to be most at risk first. To date, investigations have either been
completed or initiated at 95 of these facilities, with 10 being completed in 2023. These
investigations have included sampling 314 drinking water supply wells and have identified 51
water supplies with concentrations of PFAS above 20 ng/L for the Sum of 6. In response
to this work, 44 filtration systems have been installed on impacted water supplies and 16
properties have been connected to public water systems to mitigate the impacts to the water
supplies from PFAS.

C. Actions from the U.S. EPA and other States

The U.S. EPA Effluent Guidelines Program Plan 15 announced that changes to the effluent
guidelines and standards are warranted to address PFAS impacts in landfill leachate. These
updated guidelines and rules would apply to any landfill facility that is licensed to discharge
effluent directly to a surface waterbody. The Brunswick and Bucksport landfill facilities are

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Maine Department of Environmental Protection Testing of Landfill Leachate for Perfluoroalkyl and
Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Contamination

two landfills that are licensed by the Department’s Bureau of Water Quality to discharge
leachate and stormwater to Maine’s rivers and would be subject to these federal rule and
guideline updates.

Other States in the northeast are investigating the potential impacts that PFAS in landfills,
including the leachate, can have on industries and the environment. While other northeast
states have not initiated a leachate sampling program similar to Maine’s, they have sampled
groundwater, leachate, wastewater, and other waste media for PFAS to gain an
understanding of PFAS sources and management in the waste cycle. It does not appear that
any state in the northeast has placed limitations on PFAS concentrations in leachate, though
some standards have been placed on landfill facilities due to private industrial or business
practices of a receiving treatment facility. Like Maine, most are compiling data and
completing research fitting for their state to develop a practical path forward for PFAS
management in the environment. While some states have many active landfills that manage
leachate, other states have very few, or none, which is why each state or entity approaches
these concerns differently. Additionally, many concentration limitations will ultimately be
based on a federal drinking water standard or a receiving waterbody standard, and until these
standards are finalized, developing a holistic path forward to manage PFAS in the waste
stream is challenging.

D. Considerations for Managing and Treating Leachate

Landfill facilities do not actively use or produce PFAS as part of their operations, rather they
accept and manage waste streams that contain PFAS – materials such as sludge, MSW,
industrial wastes, and construction and demolition debris. As PFAS are eliminated from
consumer goods and products, they will become less prevalent and persistent in our waste
stream. Additionally, it is important to recognize that landfill leachate is one waste stream
among many with the potential to contribute PFAS to the environment. Recognizing that
most landfill leachate is impacted with PFAS is important, but understanding that a holistic
approach to managing PFAS in waste is vital to successfully keeping PFAS out of the
environment and protecting public health.

There are several factors to consider when approaching treating any media for a
contaminant. A recommended treatment system or combination of systems will depend on
many facility-specific data points; no singular PFAS treatment or destruction system design
will work for all Maine landfills that collect and manage leachate.

Technologies to address PFAS in leachate are considered either destructive or non-

destructive. Destructive technologies include processes such as Electrochemical Oxidation,
Chemical Advanced Oxidation (AOP) and Advanced Reduction Process (ARP). These
destruction technologies are currently in pilot stage and have limited field applicability. They
will require significant testing to determine whether they are feasible on a scaled-up version.

Non-destructive technologies involve the concentration of PFAS into a separate waste

stream which requires further treatment or disposal. Non-destructive absorptive methods
such as Granulated Activated Carbon (GAC) or Ion Exchange (IX) resins absorb PFAS
from leachate onto the media as a flow-through system. Non-destructive separation

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Maine Department of Environmental Protection Testing of Landfill Leachate for Perfluoroalkyl and
Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Contamination

methods include i) Precipitation and Sedimentation; ii) Foam Fractionation and

Ozofractionation; iii) Reverse osmosis (RO) and Ultrafiltration; and iv) Evaporation. Foam
Fractionation and RO are both considered mature and deployable technologies, and each has
concentrated effluents that need to be managed through other means.

Note that these treatment technologies should be considered part of a holistic approach to
dealing with PFAS in other PFAS-contaminated media (i.e., sludge, septage, soil). As with all
of these technologies, the leachate may require pretreatment to enhance or improve the
efficiency of the treatment technology. The efficiency to remove PFAS from leachate
depends on various factors including type of treatment, co-contaminants, leachate volume
and flow, disposal options, discharge limits, etc. For example, a final engineering design
could include combining treatment methods of separation, concentration, and destruction
for optimal performance.

VI. Conclusions
Five leachate PFAS sampling events were completed at 25 landfill facilities in Maine between the fall
of 2021 and the fall of 2023. A majority of the 28 PFAS analyzed were detected in leachate with
short-chain PFCAs making up greater than 95% of the detections and representing some of the
highest average and median concentrations reported. Five PFAS, including PFOA and PFOS, were
detected in the leachate from all 25 landfill facilities sampled, and an additional 11 PFAS were
detected at greater than 75% of the landfill samples. Eight PFAS were detected in less than 20% of
the landfills sampled, and many long-chain PFCAs and PFSAs, along with GenX were detected in
less than 10% of leachate samples.

The concentrations of individual PFAS range widely among the leachate sampled indicating
significant variability across landfills and at individual landfills throughout time. The average of the
Sum of 6 PFAS and Total PFAS concentrations ranged from single digit concentrations to over
15,000 ng/L. Seven of the 25 landfill facilities sampled reported average Sum of 6 concentrations
above 2,000 ng/L – three sludge landfills, three special waste landfills, and one MSW landfill. When
considering average Total PFAS concentrations in leachate, the seven facilities mentioned above
plus four others (two MSW landfills, one sludge landfill, and one MSW/Sludge landfill) reported
average Total PFAS concentrations greater than 5,000 ng/L. Two Sludge landfills showed
significantly higher average concentrations of PFAS in their leachate, approximately three times
higher than the next highest average leachate concentration for the Sum of 6 PFAS.

The dataset evaluated for this report is limited regarding the number of sample events, the duration
of study period, and potentially the specific PFAS analyzed.

VII. Recommendations
Based on the data collected and the information analyzed, the Department provides these
recommendations for consideration by the legislature.

• The Department recommends continued testing of leachate at the 25 landfill facilities twice
per year paired with the addition of groundwater and/or surface water samples from select
monitoring locations at each site. Once finalized, the Department will evaluate integrating

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Maine Department of Environmental Protection Testing of Landfill Leachate for Perfluoroalkyl and
Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Contamination

EPA’s updated PFAS analysis method (U.S. EPA Method 1633) for these samples. This
new method will include 40 compounds, including 5:3 FTCA.

It should be noted that there is a cost to this continued testing. The initial phase of leachate
testing required under this law was completed and funded by the licensed landfill facilities
themselves. The Department estimates that the cost of analysis alone, excluding
consultant/contractor costs to collect samples and provide data to the Department, was at
least $15,000 per year total for all of the 25 facilities. Expanded testing could cost an
additional approximately $50,000 per year total for the 25 facilities to complete the testing as
recommended in this report. The increased cost is due to the addition of analytical
parameters and sampling locations. If this testing is continued and/or expanded, this
financial burden will fall to facility owners or operators which in some cases are
municipalities with tight budgets.

As PFAS are not currently regulated parameters or pollutants for any licensed activities at
landfills in Maine, expanded testing will require legislative authorization.

• The Department recommends the continuation of groundwater monitoring at Maine’s 400-

plus closed unlined municipal landfills in accordance with the process already ongoing
through the closed municipal landfill program administered under 38 M.R.S. §1310-F.
Municipalities are encouraged to work closely with the Department in deploying these
efforts and in planning for future funding required of the municipality as part of this
program.

• The Department recommends analyzing PFAS in landfill gas once laboratory methods are
established and validated to better understand air migration pathways from landfills and to
determine the risk to off-site receptors through air deposition to the environment.

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Maine Department of Environmental Protection Testing of Landfill Leachate for Perfluoroalkyl and
Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Contamination

Attachment 1
List of PFAS Parameters and their Abbreviations

CAS Abbreviated
Parameter Name
Number Name
375-22-4 Perfluorobutanoic Acid PFBA
2706-90-3 Perfluoropentanoic Acid PFPeA
375-73-5 Perfluorobutanesulfonic Acid PFBS
757124-72-4 1H,1H,2H,2H-Perfluorohexanesulfonic Acid 4:2FTS
307-24-2 Perfluorohexanoic Acid PFHxA
2706-91-4 Perfluoropentanesulfonic Acid PFPeS
375-85-9 Perfluoroheptanoic Acid PFHpA
355-46-4 Perfluorohexanesulfonic Acid PFHxS
335-67-1 Perfluorooctanoic Acid PFOA
27619-97-2 1H,1H,2H,2H-Perfluorooctanesulfonic Acid 6:2 FTS
375-92-8 Perfluoroheptanesulfonic Acid PFHpS
375-95-1 Perfluorononanoic Acid PFNA
1763-23-1 Perfluorooctanesulfonic Acid PFOS
335-76-2 Perfluorodecanoic Acid PFDA
39108-34-4 1H,1H,2H,2H-Perfluorodecanesulfonic Acid 8:2 FTS
68259-12-1 Perfluorononanesulfonic Acid PFNS
2355-31-9 N-Methyl Perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic Acid NMeFOSAA
2058-94-8 Perfluoroundecanoic Acid PFUnA
335-77-3 Perfluorodecanesulfonic Acid PFDS
754-91-6 Perfluorooctanesulfonamide FOSA
2991-50-6 N-Ethyl Perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic Acid NEtFOSAA
307-55-1 Perfluorododecanoic Acid PFDoA
72629-94-8 Perfluorotridecanoic Acid PFTrDA
376-06-7 Perfluorotetradecanoic Acid PFTA
13252-13-6 2,3,3,3-Tetrafluoro-2-[1,1,2,2,3,3,3-Heptafluoropropoxy]- Propanoic Acid HFPO-DA
9119005-14-4 4,8-Dioxa-3h-Perfluorononanoic Acid ADONA
67905-19-5 Perfluorohexadecanoic Acid PFHxDA
16517-11-6 Perfluorooctadecanoic Acid PFODA
PFAS, Total (6) Sum of PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHpA, PFHxS, and PFDA

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Maine Department of Environmental Protection Testing of Landfill Leachate for Perfluoroalkyl and
Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Contamination

Appendix A: Supplemental PFAS Figures

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Maine Department of Environmental Protection Testing of Landfill Leachate for Perfluoroalkyl and
Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Contamination

Figure A1: Stacked bar charts depicting PFAS group concentrations across the twenty-five (25) landfills that sampled landfill leachate
between Fall 2021 and Fall 2023. Note the difference in scale between the two charts. The chart on the left depicts the landfills with
average Total PFAS concentrations greater than 4,000 ng/L while the chart on the right depicts landfills with average Total PFAS
concentrations less than 4,000 ng/L.

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Maine Department of Environmental Protection Testing of Landfill Leachate for Perfluoroalkyl and
Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Contamination

Figure A2(a). Pie charts depicting average PFAS concentrations for the six PFAS Groups analyzed in landfill leachate. This figure is
sorted from highest to lowest average Total PFAS concentrations at the twenty-five (25) landfills sampled.

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Maine Department of Environmental Protection Testing of Landfill Leachate for Perfluoroalkyl and
Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Contamination

Figure A2(b). Pie charts depicting average PFAS concentrations for the six PFAS Groups analyzed in landfill leachate. This figure is
sorted from highest to lowest average Total PFAS concentrations at the twenty-five (25) landfills sampled. Note that the Anson-Madison
Sanitary District Landfill had an average Total PFAS concentration of 5 ng/L so a pie chart was not generated for that landfill.

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Maine Department of Environmental Protection Testing of Landfill Leachate for Perfluoroalkyl and
Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Contamination

Figure A3. Box-and-whisker plot of PFAS concentrations for the 28 PFAS analyzed in 189 landfill leachate samples. The blue box
represents the lower (25%) percentile (bottom line of box), the median (line inside box), and the upper (75%) percentile (top line of box).
The whiskers above and below the box represent 1.5-times the upper and lower percentiles. Blue dots are outliers, which are
concentrations that are greater than 1.5-times the percentiles.

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Maine Department of Environmental Protection Testing of Landfill Leachate for Perfluoroalkyl and
Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Contamination

Figure A4. Box-and-whisker plot of the six (6) PFAS Groups analyzed in 189 landfill leachate samples. The blue box represents the lower
(25%) percentile (bottom line of box), the median (line inside box), and the upper (75%) percentile (top line of box). The whiskers above
and below the box represent 1.5-times the upper and lower percentiles. Blue dots are outliers, which are concentrations that are greater
than 1.5-times the percentiles.

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Maine Department of Environmental Protection Testing of Landfill Leachate for Perfluoroalkyl and
Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Contamination

Figure A5. Time-series plots of Sum of 6 PFAS concentrations at the Hartland and Twin Rivers
landfills, which had the highest average PFAS concentrations of the twenty-five landfills sampled.
Note that each landfill had one sampling event with a Sum of 6 PFAS concentrations that was
significantly greater than the other four samples analyzed.

Hartland Landfill
80,000

70,000

60,000
Sum of 6 PFAS (ng/L)

50,000

40,000

30,000

20,000

10,000

Date

Twin Rivers Landfill

30,000

25,000
Sum of 6 PFAS (ng/L)

20,000

15,000

10,000

5,000

Date

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