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Nationwide Estimate of Volatile Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance (PFAS) Emissions from U.S. Landfills via Landfill Gas

  • 0Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, North Carolina State University, 915 Partners Way, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States.
Environmental Science & Technology +

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November 17, 2025

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November 17, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Annual emissions of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from U.S. landfills are estimated at 836 kg/yr. Fluorotelomer alcohols are the dominant PFAS found in landfill gas (LFG), contributing over 95% of the total concentration.

Area Of Science

  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Environmental Science
  • Air Pollution

Background

  • Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widely used synthetic chemicals with environmental persistence.
  • Landfill gas (LFG) is a potential emission source for volatile organic compounds, including PFAS.
  • Limited data exists on PFAS emissions specifically from LFG in the United States.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To characterize the types and concentrations of volatile PFAS in LFG across the U.S.
  • To estimate the total annual mass of volatile PFAS released from U.S. landfills via uncollected gas.
  • To identify factors influencing PFAS concentrations in LFG.

Main Methods

  • Collected LFG samples from 30 landfills across 17 states representing diverse precipitation regions.
  • Analyzed PFAS concentrations using established analytical techniques.
  • Coupled median PFAS concentrations with national LFG emission estimates to calculate annual mass emissions.

Main Results

  • PFAS concentrations in LFG varied significantly, with a median of 19,000 ng/m³.
  • Fluorotelomer alcohols (6:2 and 8:2 FTOH) constituted over 95% of the total PFAS.
  • Estimated annual volatile PFAS emission from U.S. landfills is 836 kg/yr (95% CI: 15–5,590 kg/yr).
  • Precipitation, temporal, and site-specific factors influenced PFAS variability.

Conclusions

  • U.S. landfills are a significant source of atmospheric PFAS emissions through uncollected LFG.
  • The estimated annual emission of 836 kg of PFAS from LFG is comparable to PFAS released into landfill leachate.
  • Further research is needed to understand the full environmental impact of PFAS emissions from landfills.

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