PFAS, the notorious “forever chemicals,” have become unwelcome guests. It is found in 45% of America’s tap water. From our drinking water to our bloodstreams, these persistent pollutants have infiltrated our world, leaving a trail of potential health hazards in their wake.
Due to their resilience, their solid chemical bonds have made them a nightmare for scientists and environmentalists. As awareness of the harmful side effects of PFAS grows, many companies are racing to develop technologies to eradicate PFAS chemicals. This turns contamination into a tale of innovation and hope.
The stakes are high as stricter regulations loom and public concern grows. Let’s learn about the cutting-edge solutions that could finally rid us of these “forever chemicals” and safeguard our health and environment.
The Challenges of PFAS Destruction
Destroying PFAS is like trying to break down a diamond with a feather—it’s just not that simple. These “forever chemicals” are built to last due to powerful carbon-fluorine bonds. They are indestructible chains of chemicals that refuse to break by conventional methods.
Traditional water filtration systems, like your water filter, might catch some PFAS, but don’t destroy them. It’s like sweeping dust under the rug–it’s out of sight but not gone for good.
Incineration is another thermal process that involves subjecting PFAS waste to extremely high temperatures to break down these harmful chemicals. PFAS chemicals are exposed to temperatures exceeding 1,000°C within an incinerator. This intense heat causes the chemical bonds within PFAS molecules to break.
While this method successfully breaks down PFAS chemicals, it often releases harmful chemicals into the air. Due to the release of chemicals in the air, they travel far and wide.
This persistence has had devastating consequences. Firefighters who once relied on PFAS-laden firefighting foams are now facing the health repercussions of prolonged exposure.
Gary Flook’s case is a disturbing example of PFAS contamination. Gary was an Air Force firefighter for 37 years, based at the Chanute Air Force Base in Illinois. During his days at work, he was regularly trained with aqueous film-forming foam for fighting against fire.
Gary’s life was devastated when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer at just 45. He would require an orchiectomy and then chemotherapy. After researching his unwelcome disease, he found the connection between his cancer and AFFF. He discovered that his testicular cancer was because of the PFAS chemicals in the firefighting foam he used for years.
Apart from individual struggle, communities living near industrial sites or military bases are discovering these chemicals in their water and soil. This has led to a wave of lawsuits, with people affected by PFAS contamination seeking justice and compensation. The firefighting foam lawsuit alleges that the manufacturers, like 3M, knew about the risks but failed to protect the public. They chose profits over public health.
Now, lawsuits are doing their part. In April 2024, as mentioned by TorHoerman Law, Tyco Fire Products agreed upon a $750 million settlement in AFFF litigation. However, the need for a solution is more urgent than ever.
We can’t simply rely on band-aids and smokescreens. We need innovative technologies that can destroy PFAS at the molecular level, breaking those stubborn bonds and rendering them harmless. The race is on to find these solutions, with scientists and engineers exploring cutting-edge methods. These technologies offer a glimmer of hope to finally turn the tide against the “forever chemical” and protect our health.
Emerging Technologies in the PFAS Destruction Race
Scientists and engineers are developing innovative technologies to purge our world of PFAS. From harnessing the power of extreme conditions to releasing microscopic forces, the race to destroy PFAS is sparking.
Hydrothermal Alkaline Treatment (HALT)
Hydrothermal Alkaline Treatment (HALT) is like a pressure cooker on steroids. It decomposes PFAS chemicals into harmless byproducts like fluoride salts and carbon dioxide.
HALT uses a combination of high temperature ( 350°C), pressure, and a strong base like sodium hydroxide to dismantle PFAS molecules. What’s cool about HALT is it can tackle a wide range of PFAS, both the long-chain and short-chain PFASs plaguing our environment.
A study identifies that HALT reduces most PFAS chemicals to non-detectable levels within 15 minutes. Most perfluoroalkyl sulfonates (PFSA) were degraded within 30 minutes through 5M NaOH. This efficiency in destroying PFAS makes it a valuable tool in fighting PFAS contamination.
And it’s not just talk. HALT has already proved its mettle in the lab and in-field demonstrations. It has destroyed PFAS in various settings over 99% of the time. This impressive track record has garnered public and private attention, making HALT a frontrunner in eliminating PFAS chemicals.
HALT also boasts energy efficiency, scalability, and the ability to be deployed on-site, making it practical for different contamination scenarios. This means we can fight PFAS wherever they’re lurking, whether in groundwater, soil, or industrial waste.
Supercritical Water Oxidation (SCWO)
Supercritical Water Oxidation, or SCWO for short, takes PFAS destruction to a new level. This technology uses high pressure (above 22.1 MPa) and high temperature (above 374 °C) to accelerate oxidation processes. Water isn’t quite liquid or gas in this state—it’s supercritical.
In this extreme state, PFAS molecules become vulnerable, and an oxidizer swoops in to break them down into harmless components. SCWO is fast and efficient and can handle various PFAS-contaminated waste, from landfill leachate to the firefighting foam used at airports.
A study employed three SCWO technologies to test the system’s efficiency in reducing PFAS concentrations. The findings of all three pieces of evidence show a more than 99% reduction of PFAS contamination, including PFOS and PFOA.
But SCWO has its challenges. It’s a high-energy process, and the cost of heating and pressurizing large volumes of water can be a hurdle. There are also concerns about potential corrosion and salt buildup in the system. However, researchers are working to overcome these obstacles, making SCWO a promising contender in the ongoing battle against PFAS.
Nanobubble Ozone Technology (NBOT)
Nanobubble Ozone Technology (NBOT) combined with UV light is like a microscopic ozone bomb with UV rays that destroy PFAS chemicals.
NBOT involves infusing ultrafine bubbles with ozone, a powerful oxidizer. These bubbles carry the ozone to PFAS molecules lurking in the water. Ozone particles combined with UV light produce extra energy needed to break the rigid carbon-fluorine bonds in PFAS.
Finally, it leaves harmless byproducts like fluorine and carbon dioxide gas, which simply float away into the atmosphere. It’s a clean, green solution that leaves no toxic residue.
Researchers at the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) have pioneered this innovative technology. They partnered with the American Marine University Research Institute to develop and test it. So far, the results have been promising, with successful tests in both lab settings and real-world water environments.
NBOT, unlike other technologies, is easily adaptable to handle everything from small ponds to municipal water systems. This means that even communities with widespread PFAS contamination could benefit from this technology.
Other Emerging Technologies
While HALT and SCWO lead the charge, other contenders are entering the PFAS destruction arena with unique approaches:
Electrochemical Oxidation (EO)
Electrochemical oxidation (EO) is like a high-voltage zap to PFAS molecules. Running an electrical current through contaminated water triggers chemical reactions that break the stubborn PFAS bonds.
Plasma
Plasma, the fourth state of matter, is a high-energy state where gases become electrically charged. Early results show promise for breaking down lengthy and short-chain PFAS varieties, but further research is needed for widespread implementation.
Photocatalysis
This technology uses a catalyst, like titanium dioxide, and light energy to trigger chemical reactions that degrade PFAS. It harnesses the sun’s power to clean up our water – a sustainable solution with immense potential.
Sonolysis
Sonolysis is a surprising contender in the PFAS fight. It uses high-frequency sound waves to create tiny bubbles in water. When these bubbles collapse, they generate intense pressure and heat, blasting PFAS molecules apart.
FAQs
Can PFAS Be Eliminated From the Body?
Our bodies can slowly filter out some PFAS chemicals through urine. However, complete elimination is difficult due to their long half-lives and kidney reabsorption. Factors like kidney function, menstruation, and breastfeeding can influence the excretion rate.
What Foods Have PFAS?
Seafood, especially fish caught near industrialized areas, is a common source of PFAS chemicals. Meat and dairy products, especially from animals raised near contaminated areas, may also contain PFAS chemicals. Some fruits and vegetables grown in contaminated soil or water may also have elevated levels. Processed foods packaged in materials containing PFAS can also be a source of exposure.
Does Boiling Water Remove PFAS?
No, boiling water does not remove PFAS. It can concentrate PFAS levels as water evaporates during boiling. Specialized filtration methods like reverse osmosis or activated carbon filters are best for removing PFAS from water.
The fight against PFAS is far from over. These forever chemicals continue to threaten our health and environment, but the emergence of technologies offers hope.
As research and development forge ahead, we expect even more groundbreaking solutions to emerge. It’s a collaborative effort requiring the expertise of scientists, engineers, and communities working together to find the best approaches.