Teflon in my Compost?? What are PFAS and Why Should You Care: An Introduction for Composters

Rooney Kim Lazcano is a doctoral candidate in Ecological Sciences and Engineering Interdisciplinary Program and Department of Agronomy at Purdue University. She received a B.S. in Environmental Toxicology from the University of California-Davis in Davis, CA, and a M.S. from Bioengineering from University of Hawaii-Manoa in Honolulu, HI. Her research addresses the beneficial use of waste residuals and associated environmental assessment, which includes leachability and uptake of contaminants of concern. Specifically, her research is focused on the environmental fate of trace organic contaminants including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and pharmaceutical and personal care products in waste-derived fertilizers.

• Rhodes Yepsen is Executive Director of the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI), North America’s leading certifier of compostable products and packaging in North America. A nonprofit, the BPI’s goal is the scalable diversion of organic waste to composting, by verifying that products and packaging will completely break down in a professionally managed composting facility, without harming the quality of the compost. Yepsen co-chairs the Compostable Products Task Force at the US Composting Council, where he formerly served on the Board of Directors.

Since 1998, Ned Beecher has been Executive Director of NEBRA, tracking research, legislation, and regulations, and providing information to members and the public.  NEBRA advances best practices and sustainability in biosolids and residuals recycling. Ned has led projects and authored articles, papers, and book chapters on residuals management around North America. Since early 2017, he has led efforts in the biosolids profession to understand PFAS related to biosolids and other residuals. He has an MS in Resource Management from Antioch University and a BA in Geology from Amherst College. He lives, composts, and gardens (using biosolids) with his wife, Chris Clyne, in Tamworth, NH.

Dr. Kuter is CEO of Agresource Inc. a Massachusetts company engaged in composting and the sale and distribution of composts in the Northeast US. He has more than thirty years’ experience in the design and operations of composting facilities for biosolids, leaf and yard waste, food processing residues, and various organic wastes. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Madison, he conducted postdoctoral research at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center on the use of composts for the suppression of soil-borne plant diseases. Dr. Kuter is the author of more than thirty-five scientific and technical papers in the fields of solid waste management, composting, and microbiology.

Cary Oshins is Associate Director of the US Composting Council, where his work focuses on member services, including the annual conference, developing the professional credential program, and industry advocacy at the state and national levels. He is also Education Director for the Composting Council Research and Education Foundation, where he runs the Composter Training Program, including the highly-regarded Composting Operations Training Course.