Teresa Booeshaghi

State Perspective on PFAS Issues

Teresa Booeshaghi, Assistant Director, Division of Waste Management, Florida Department of Environmental Protection

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) is actively investigating the historic use of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and potential impacts to the State of Florida drinking water sources.  FDEP is currently focusing on two of the PFAS constituents, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS).  To aid in the assessment and remediation of PFAS contamination in the State of Florida, the Department, per Rules 62-780.150 and 62-780.650, F.A.C., has derived provisional groundwater and soil cleanup target levels (CTLs) for PFOA and PFOS. This presentation will provide information on the provisional CTLs and PFAS screening levels the Department has developed, along with a discussion of the Department’s efforts related to statewide PFAS assessments.

Ms. Booeshaghi is the Assistant Director for the Division of Waste Management at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. She has been with the agency for 19 years. In her current role she works with District Offices throughout the state to ensure consistent and uniform adherence and application of regulations. She provides oversight to the Division’s Permitting and Compliance Assistance Program, including promotion of waste management practices that minimize waste generation, encourage recycling and reuse, prevent discharges of chemical and petroleum products contained in storage tank systems, and ensure adequate and timely cleanup of the environment. She previously served as the Waste Cleanup Program Administrator where she was responsible for a number of cleanup programs, including the Drycleaning Solvent Cleanup Program, Federal Facilities, Brownfields and Voluntary Cleanup Tax Credit programs.