Characterizing Volatile Emissions and Combustion Byproducts from Aqueous Film-Forming Foams Using Online Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometry.

Aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) are used in firefighting applications and often contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which can detrimentally impact environmental and biological health. Incineration is a potential disposal method for AFFFs, which may produce secondary PFAS and other air pollutants. We used online chemical ionization mass spectrometry (CIMS) to measure volatile PFAS emissions from incinerating AFFF concentrate solutions.

Engineering Controls and Technologies to Enhance Safety in the COVID-19 Pandemic Landscape: Lessons for Laboratories and Non-Laboratories.

Introduction: The global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic ushered in a new way of life in a short time, with many lasting impacts that have yet to be fully realized. This pandemic threat landscape resulted in massive efforts to increase safety, minimize person-to-person transmission, and rethink how society approaches personal and collective health issues. The buildings and environments in which we live, work, and learn now became environments that pose new risks.

Combustion of C and C PFAS: Kinetic modeling and experiments.

A combustion model, originally developed to simulate the destruction of chemical warfare agents, was modified to include C-C fluorinated organic reactions and kinetics compiled by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). A simplified plug flow reactor version of this model was used to predict the destruction efficiency (DE) and formation of products of incomplete combustion (PICs) for three C and C per- and poly-fluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) (CF, CHF, and CF) and compare predicted values to Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)-based measurements made from a pilot-scale EPA research combustor (40-64 kW, natural gas-fired, 20% excess air). PFAS were introduced through the flame, and at post-flame locations along a time-temperature profile allowing for simulation of direct flame and non-flame injection, and examination of the sensitivity of PFAS destruction on temperature and free radical flame chemistry.

Building Capacity for Cyberbiosecurity Training.

Cyberbiosecurity lies at the intersection of cybersecurity and biosecurity and addresses the protection of valuable biological material and associated information. As an emerging concept, cyberbiosecurity requires the integration of training strategies targeted to both current and future professionals; as well as an increased awareness in the wider stakeholder community. As the discrete discipline of cyberbiosecurity continues to develop, initial training efforts are likely to include workshops and specialized training that bridge the disciplines of information technology (IT) and life sciences.