Impact of PFAS Loads from Construction Materials and Debris to The Groundwater Resource in Nantucket, Ma

Abstract

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have emerged as a major public health concern due to their widespread presence in drinking water and links to adverse health outcomes. While previous research has focused on industrial sources, the contribution of construction materials and demolition waste has been largely overlooked. This study investigated PFAS releases from construction materials as a potential contamination pathway affecting Nantucket, Massachusetts—a small island community with rapid development and a sole-source aquifer for drinking water. This study had three objectives: (1) characterize PFAS-containing construction materials through literature review and local market verification; (2) map spatial distribution of construction activity and PFAS contamination; and (3) examine whether patterns suggest construction materials as a contamination source. Methods integrated water quality data from public sources (195 well samples), building permit records (6,443 permits, 2020-2025), published research on PFAS in construction materials (14 peer-reviewed studies), and GIS mapping to examine spatial relationships. Analysis revealed severe contamination in specific zones, with wells exceeding Massachusetts' 20 ng/L regulatory threshold by factors up to 94× (maximum: 1,876 ng/L). Contamination concentrated in areas with intensive construction activity. Between 2020-2025, Nantucket's construction sector generated 52,287 tons of demolition waste, with an estimated 18,300 tons containing PFAS-based materials. A survey of 16 local suppliers confirmed PFAS presence in all 95 tested products (concentrations: 5-112ng/g), validating literature findings. Spatial analysis identified associations between construction zones and contaminated wells, though causation cannot be definitively established from observational data. This research demonstrated how literature-based material characterization combined with spatial analysis can identify potential contamination pathways beyond traditional point sources, providing a framework for understanding construction materials' role in groundwater contamination and informing protection strategies for island water supplies.