Penn State Recruiting Workers for PFAS Safety Research

By Blake Jackson

Penn State researchers are recruiting volunteers for a new study focused on measuring potential exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) among employees who regularly work with biosolids.

PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals widely used in consumer and industrial products. They can also be present in wastewater and biosolids that are applied as fertilizers.

The research aims to better understand whether routine occupational activities involving biosolids increase PFAS exposure and to support future recommendations for improving worker safety.

Eligible participants will be asked to wear a silicone wristband while performing their normal job duties for a period ranging from one to eight weeks. These wristbands act as passive sampling devices, absorbing PFAS from air, dust, and direct contact without disrupting daily work.

Participants will also complete a brief activity log, which takes about five minutes to fill out at the end of each workweek. After the monitoring period, the wristbands and completed logs will be returned to Penn State using provided shipping materials.

The study is open to Pennsylvania workers who spend at least two hours each day handling biosolids as part of their regular responsibilities. This may include processing, transporting, loading, unloading, storing, sampling, land application, or other direct contact with biosolids.

Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and willing to wear the silicone wristband during work activities.

There is no cost to participate beyond the required time commitment. Interested individuals can complete a short recruitment survey to determine eligibility. Because enrollment is limited, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Participants accepted into the study will receive a $25 to $50 gift as a token of appreciation. Those seeking additional information can contact the study's principal investigator, Dr. Jack Vanden Heuvel, at 814-863-8532 or jpv2@psu.edu.

Photo Credit: pixabay-franck-barske