Dr. Rajendra Kothavade, Ph.D.

PFAS Contamination in Public Water Systems: Addressing Clinical, Environmental, and Toxicological Impacts

Dr. Rajendra Kothavade, Ph.D., Operations Manager, Horsham Water and Sewer Authority 

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are emerging as a significant environmental and  public health concern due to their widespread presence and potential for long-term exposure.  This presentation examines PFAS occurrence data from two distinct case studies: one focusing  on statewide PFAS contamination and the other on a small township. The data highlights the  frequent detection of both short-chain and long-chain PFAS across a variety of public water  systems (PWS), with many systems exceeding the recently set EPA Maximum Contaminant  Levels (MCLs) for legacy chemicals such as PFOA and PFOS. These findings have critical  implications in clinical, environmental, and toxicological domains.  Clinically, populations exposed to high PFAS concentrations in drinking water may face an  elevated risk for a range of health issues, including dyslipidemia, thyroid disease, impaired  immune function, and developmental delays. The co-occurrence of short- and long-chain PFAS  complicates exposure assessments, as the health effects of mixed exposures remain poorly  understood but may have additive or synergistic effects. From an environmental and public  health perspective, PFAS in drinking water and food systems represent primary exposure  routes, with vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, infants, and children at heightened  risk. The mobility of short-chain PFAS further broadens the spatial footprint of contamination,  exacerbating exposure risks for communities located far from the original contamination  sources.  The toxicological implications are equally concerning, with PFAS exhibiting persistent  bioaccumulation in human systems. Mechanistic research is needed to understand the  interaction of PFAS mixtures, their chronic effects, and the long-term health outcomes  associated with low-level, lifelong exposure. This case study data underscores the urgent need  for robust monitoring and treatment strategies in affected communities, particularly smaller  utilities that may lack the resources for effective PFAS removal.  This presentation will provide actionable recommendations for clinicians, public health  practitioners, and researchers, including strategies for reducing exposure, implementing  routine biomonitoring, and developing targeted toxicological studies. Policy-level  recommendations will also be discussed, advocating for expanded resources for small utilities,  more comprehensive monitoring protocols, and further research on the effects of PFAS  mixtures. Through a synthesis of clinical, environmental, and experimental data, this  presentation aims to advance understanding of PFAS contamination and offer practical  solutions for managing exposure at the community level.

Dr. Rajendra Kothavade is a senior environmental and public health leader with over 20 years of experience across municipal, provincial/state, federal, and international settings in Canada and the United States. He holds a PhD in Microbiology, an MSc in Biochemistry, and a BSc in Microbiology, with recognized U.S. and Canadian equivalency.  Dr. Kothavade currently serves as Operations Manager at the Horsham Water and Sewer Authority (PA, USA), where he directs complex water and wastewater operations, oversees multi-million-dollar budgets and capital projects, and ensures compliance with regulatory and environmental standards. Previously, he was Chief of the Environmental Science Center at the Rhode Island Department of Health, leading statewide programs in air quality, drinking water, wastewater, shellfish safety, food testing, and public health laboratories.  A certified ISO/IEC 17025 auditor, Dr. Kothavade has provided strategic oversight of quality management systems, laboratory accreditation, and regulatory compliance for over a decade. His work emphasizes climate resilience, environmental surveillance, wastewater epidemiology, and public health protection. He is a collaborative, citizen-focused leader committed to integrity, safety, and science-based decision-making.