Penn State Researchers Seeking Volunteer Biosolids Workers To Help With Research On PFAS 'Forever Chemical' Exposure In Handling Biosolids

Researchers at Penn State University are seeking volunteers to participate in a study examining potential exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) among workers who directly handle biosolids. 

PFAS are synthetic chemicals commonly found in consumer and industrial products and can occur in wastewater and biosolids used as fertilizers. 

This study aims to better understand how occupational activities involving biosolids may contribute to PFAS exposure and to inform future worker safety recommendations. 

What Participation Involves

Participants will be asked to:

-- Wear the provided silicone wristbands during routine work activities for approximately one to eight weeks.

-- Complete a brief (~5 min) activity log survey describing their work tasks at the end of each week.

-- Ship silicone wristbands and activity log surveys back to Penn State at the end of the monitoring period.

The wristbands act as passive samplers that absorb PFAS from air, dust, and direct contact, providing a simple, non-invasive way to measure potential exposure without interfering with normal job duties.

Who Can Participate?

You may be eligible if you:

-- Directly work with biosolids as part of your regular job duties for at least 2 hours per day, and are located in Pennsylvania. Working with biosolids can include handling, processing, transporting, loading, unloading, storing, sampling, land applying, or otherwise coming into contact with biosolids as part of your job.

-- Are 18 years of age or older.

-- Are able and willing to wear a silicone wristband during work activities.

How to Participate

Apart from the time commitment, there is no cost to participate in the study. 

To express interest, complete this short study recruitment survey. 

This survey will help us determine if you qualify for the study. Because space is limited, submissions will be reviewed on a rolling basis. 

Participants in the study will receive a $25-50 gift as an appreciation for their time.

For additional information about the study, please contact the Principal Investigator, Dr. Jack Vanden Heuvel at: 814-863-8532 or  jpv2@psu.edu. 

Click Here for the Penn State announcement.

(Reprinted from latest Penn State Extension Watershed Winds News.  Click Here to sign up for your own copy (bottom of page).)

Resource Links:

-- Delaware RiverKeeper Hosts July 23 Webinar On Changes DEP Proposes In Regulating Wastewater Biosolids To Prevent PFAS ‘Forever Chemical’ Contamination  [PaEN] 

-- DEP/Agriculture Invite Comments On Updated Safeguards To Prevent PFAS 'Forever Chemicals' In Wastewater Biosolids From Polluting Groundwater [PaEN] 

[Posted: July 21, 2026]  PA Environment Digest