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Project title

INVESTigating PFAS from Source to sink - Assessing risk to inform a PFAS STrategy in Ireland

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

Dublin City University (DCU)

Lead Applicant

Fiona Regan

Project Abstract

PFAS occurrence in several media types is an active area of research. The INVEST-pFASST project aims to identify potential sources and pathways of PFAS in the Irish environment. To address this aim, the team will engage in stakeholder discussions, citizen science activities, sample collection and analysis to inform on the pathways and PFAS chemical ranking. The data from INVEST-pFASST will inform the development of recommendations for a strategy on PFAS monitoring in Ireland. Assessing and characterising potential risks of PFAS in the environment includes challenges associated with quantifying the degree of exposure, assessing the hazard associated with PFAS, and characterising risks to support effective risk management decision-making. We will be engaging with industry in WP 4 to address the question of pathways, and risk. This will include industries and sources from WP 2 (Irish Water, landfills operators, local authorities). Information arising from other sources such as licences or GIS maps will be utilised to inform risk assessment. The stakeholders who we will want to know about the project include: a) the public, b) the media (as a mechanism of further sending message to stakeholders) c) NGOs (for applicability in other scenarios/countries) and d) Public Representatives and Local Government for dissemination and lobbying for policy making purposes, e) the county councils, f) the HSE for public health impact, g) Agencies with an interest in PFAS contamination e.g. Irish Water h) relevant government departments e.g. DCCAE, DAFM) Water quality monitoring agencies including the Monitoring and Enforcement Division of the EPA). The research community internationally k) Multipliers – persons strategically placed to increase transfer of the knowledge to end users though their networks e.g. Environmental Sciences Association of Ireland, Irish Environmental Network, Comhar, The Heritage Council, an Táisce, HEA net etc, SWAN, etc. The team in the project brings together expertise in areas of analytical and environmental science, risk assessment and risk ranking, industry engagement and environmental assessment. It is a truly interdisciplinary team that can meet the needs of the research call. To address the international view that the main source of PFAS for much of the population is through drinking water, a citizen science blitz will be carried out to collect tap water samples that will be analysed for target PFAS chemicals in Ireland. This public engagement will inform the public about PFAS use and also, engage them in a national research project. The proposed INVEST-pFASST project will provide a thorough assessment of PFAS contamination in Ireland through a detailed multidisciplinary programme for research. The project will draw on citizens in gaining information on drinking water PFAS occurrence. The resulting data will provide substantive and comprehensive understanding regarding PFAS pathways and sources which can be used to assist policy makers and those involved in decision making. This project aims to provide the necessary data and analysis to inform and support the development of a national strategy on PFAS in Ireland for environmental and human protection. A strong multi-disciplinary team has been established to deliver on this ambitious project.

Grant Approved

�486,132.19

Research Hub

Healthy Environment

Research Theme

n/a

Start Date

27/03/2023

Initial Projected Completion Date

26/03/2027