Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID KY_2024_Polk

Prevalence and Source Tracking of Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) Substances in Urban Karst Groundwater Systems

Institute: Kentucky
Year Established: 2024 Start Date: 2024-09-01 End Date: 2025-08-31
Total Federal Funds: $19,980 Total Non-Federal Funds: $19,980

Principal Investigators: Jason Polk

Project Summary: Groundwater in karst areas, where underground rivers can transport water rapidly, are vulnerable to water quality threats. PFAS substances, which are common in nearly all household goods, including food wrappers, pans, and clothing, are known to be harmful to human health and hard to remove from water systems. This research will evaluate their prevalence and occurrence in karst groundwater systems in Kentucky leading up to the EPA setting a maximum contaminant level of exposure.