Real Estate Damage Economics: The Impact of PFAS “Forever Chemicals” on Real Estate Valuation

The so-called “Forever Chemicals,” i.e. PFAS or PFCs, are emerging environmental contaminants. They refer to a family of carbon-fluorine chemicals that were initially developed in the commercial and industrial sectors around time WWII. As term is catch-all, there many individual compounds, including C8, PFOA, PFOS, AFFF, PFNA, PFHxS, GenX. Until late 1990s/early 2000s, health risks compounds largely unknown general public. But with increasing ability detect monitor these humans environment, information now more widely available. Health advisories being at federal state levels as adverse human effects associated becoming clearer. public awareness evolve, so must real estate valuations. Real valuation professionals facing assignments require an evaluation impact, if any, on property values, particular, properties tainted household water. This article outlines fundamental characteristics sets forth methodologies, such mass appraisal can be used determine have values. Appraisal literature textbooks established use regression for assignments. profession has also numerous well-accepted methodologies address addresses methodology, sale/resale technique, case study approach contamination related PFAS.