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Impact of an Electric Vehicle Burn on Contaminants ?(PFAS, PAHs, Metals) in Soil and Water
Location: 83
Mentor: Dr. Helena Solo-Gabriele
Electric vehicles are known to catch fire, and the impacts of electric vehicle firefighting activities are not known. This study aims to evaluate potential contamination in water and soil following an electric vehicle fire, focusing on the presence of harmful chemicals such as PFAS, PAHs, and metals. A controlled burn was conducted, with soil samples collected before the burn and both soil and water samples collected afterward. Chemical analyses were performed to assess contamination levels. Results show that copper and 19 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were elevated in both soil and water samples. This suggests that electric vehicle fires contribute to environmental contamination, with pollutants persisting in affected areas. Electric vehicle fires lead to increased contamination in water and soil, posing potential environmental and health risks. Further controlled burns and research are necessary to better quantify these impacts and develop mitigation strategies.
