MSECA’s 2026 Fall Virtual Meeting

Presented by George (Bud) Ivey, B.SC.,CES, CESA, P.Chem., EP, Ivey International Inc.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including PFOA and PFOS, are commonly referred to as “forever chemicals” because they persist in the environment and can pose risks to both human health and ecosystems. Their unique chemical properties allow them to strongly adhere to soil, bedrock, and a wide range of man-made surfaces, making remediation and decontamination particularly challenging. This session will examine the hydrogeochemical behavior of PFAS, why conventional remediation approaches often have limited effectiveness, and the implications for environmental site investigations, remediation projects, and the decontamination of field equipment used to prevent cross-contamination.

Participants will explore innovative approaches that improve PFAS desorption and removal, including the use of selective non-ionic surfactants that enhance penetration into microscopic soil pores and surface irregularities. Through electron microscope imagery, graphs, tables, and 3D animations, the presentation will illustrate how PFAS interacts with both natural and engineered materials and demonstrate strategies that have achieved exceptionally high removal efficiencies. Attendees will leave with a stronger understanding of current remediation and decontamination techniques, practical considerations for field applications, and emerging approaches that can support more effective regulatory compliance.

George (Bud) Ivey, B.SC.,CES, CESA, P.Chem., EP, Ivey International Inc.
George is a distinguished environmental professional with over 35 years of international experience in remediation. He has contributed to more than 3,500 remediation projects across upwards of 70 countries. George holds in excess of 30 international patents and trademarks and has received 16 global environmental awards. He has academic experience includes Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Geological Engineering, and a Master’s in Project Management.

Presented by Jonathan Thorn, Eurofins Environment Testing (USA)

Characterizing the PFAS present in biosolids helps inform assessments of environmental risk associated with land application and disposal practices. Biosolids represent a uniquely challenging analytical matrix, with variable solids content, sample heterogeneity, and high organic/particulate loading that complicate extraction efficiency and quantitation.

In this study, select biosolids samples were analyzed for an extensive list of targeted analytes under an expanded EPA Method 1633A. This expanded method incorporates additional analyte classes beyond the published method, including perfluoroalkyl phosphinates (PFPiA), polyfluoroalkyl phosphate diesters (diPAP), fluorotelomer unsaturated carboxylic acids (FTUCA), perfluorinated sulfonylimides (PFSI), and “diprotic” compounds—notable for possessing two functional groups.

Results are compiled and discussed with respect to analyte composition in biosolids, along with analytical considerations specific to this matrix, including how variable solids content and sample heterogeneity affect extraction and analysis. Trends in PFAS accumulation and speciation across the biosolids samples are examined, along with implications for biosolids management and beneficial use applications across the range of PFAS classes present.

Jonathan Thorn, Eurofins Environment Testing (USA)
Jonathan is the Technical Director for Eurofins Lancaster Laboratories and a PFAS Practice Leader, and has worked in the field of environmental analytical chemistry for over 30+ years. For the last 12 years, his primary focus has been the analysis of PFAS in environmental samples, focusing on development and implementation of analytical methods in difficult matrices, including ground water, wastewater, landfill leachate, sediment, soil, biosolids, environmental tissues, agricultural products, and animal blood. He received his B.S. in chemistry from Bridgewater State University in 1996.

Presented by Marat Goldenberg, PE, CETCO

Soil samples were collected and analyzed for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from four separate delineated areas of a source zone from the Selfridge Air National Guard Base, known as the Nozzle Testing Area (NTA). Part of the scope of work included stabilization of soil using a commercially available fixation reagent. A surface modified clay (SMC) was selected as the reagent for PFAS immobilization. Soil samples from four different delineated areas were provided to CETCO’s lab in Hoffman Estates, IL. Soil samples from each area were homogenized and tested for baseline PFOS leachability. Samples were then blended with varying percentages of SMC and retested for PFOS leachability. Baseline PFOS concentrations ranged from 16,000 ng/L to 83,000 ng/L. As a result of this lab mixing study, greater than 99% reduction in PFOS leachability concentration was observed. Achieving a similar homogenous mixture during field mixing was more challenging due to the soil properties and available equipment, but PFOS reduction of >95% was obtained, meeting project objectives. Lab and field results will be presented, as well as discussion on important considerations for the transition from lab to field application to simulate lab to field mixing as closely as possible.

Marat Goldenberg, PE, CETCO
Marat is a licensed professional engineer and serves as Technical Sales Manager for CETCO, specializing in PFAS remediation and water filtration. He partners with municipalities and private industries to manage environmental contaminants using proven, cost-effective solutions. With 16 years of experience in the remediation industry, Marat previously worked as an environmental consultant. His background includes evaluating remedial alternatives, supporting engineering design and procurement, and providing construction oversight on large-scale remediation projects.

Presented by Paul Jackson, Pace® Analytical Services

PFAS are prevalent in numerous items used when taking samples for environmental laboratory testing. This, coupled with the fact that laboratories calibrate instruments to detect PFAS in the single digit ppt range in water samples, has led to a great deal of concern about the potential for cross-contamination of samples caused by sampling. Numerous PFAS sampling SOPs call for very stringent measures not required when sampling for other regulated contaminants, as well as significantly more field QC samples for drinking water samples in particular. Is all this concern warranted? During this presentation attendees will learn about the occurrence rate of PFAS contamination detected in a recent and very large set of Field Blanks and Equipment Blanks from projects across the country. We will discuss the inherent limitation of Field Blanks in verifying cross-contamination caused by sampling, as well as the stringent practices taken to mitigate cross-contamination.

Paul Jackson, Pace® Analytical Services
Mr. Jackson is Pace’s national Program Manager for Compliance Monitoring and Emerging Contaminants, which includes PFAS, US EPA’s UCMR, drinking water, wastewater, and solid waste programs. Mr. Jackson has been with Pace® since 2009. Paul is a U.S Army veteran who got his start in laboratory testing and has over forty years of experience in the environmental testing industry. Mr. Jackson attended Towson University for Business and Chemistry. Mr. Jackson frequently presents at various environmental conferences about PFAS and Emerging Contaminants, and the US EPA’s Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule.