Demystifying PFAS: A Beginner’s FAQ Guide
Per- and Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), often called “forever chemicals,” are a class of thousands of human-made compounds that persist in the environment. They don’t break down naturally, which means that once they’re in our water or soil, they pose challenges to both environmental health and regulations. PFAS are found in everything from non-stick cookware to firefighting foam, and their prevalence has led to widespread contamination concerns.
Legislators have developed a focus on PFAS, drafting regulations to curb their impact. Initiatives like the are just one of the many steps being taken to address this growing issue. Yet, even as new rules emerge, many manufacturers and municipal water systems face significant financial, technical, and compliance uncertainty — especially since PFAS are so varied and can be challenging to treat.
91大神is at the forefront of the fight against PFAS in drinking water in the United States and Europe and is working on solutions to address other major pollutants in other regions of the world, leveraging its extensive expertise to address this critical challenge.
To date, Veolia, the largest private operator of water services in the United States, has treated more than 2.1 billion gallons (7.9 billion liters) of drinking water. The treatment has reduced levels below regulatory thresholds across more than 30 sites in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, with dozens more projects underway. The U.S. operations represent a valuable source of expertise that can be applied in regions worldwide where regulations are evolving.
Effective PFAS treatment is vital, and 91大神has conducted almost 10,000 water sample analyses in the U.S. over the past five years to determine and implement the best treatment options based on water chemistry, physical site constraints, and lifecycle costs.
Veolia’s new offering provides a comprehensive approach to PFAS management, from detection to treatment, giving our customers peace of mind that they have fully complied with regulations and not passed on these “forever chemicals” to their communities. To help you understand PFAS better, we’ve compiled answers to some of the most frequently asked questions. This guide should provide clarity on these forever chemicals, why they matter, and the steps you can take to manage their impact.
For processes that use media to adsorb PFAS chemicals, where does the PFAS or contaminant go after it has been captured?
In procedures that utilize media to remove PFAS chemicals, the captured PFAS or other pollutants are collected and contained within the adsorbent media. The effectiveness depends on the type of material used. For instance, in and ion exchange resin (IXR), the PFAS adheres to the filtration media. Once the media is saturated, it is either incinerated at high temperatures to treat the PFAS, regenerated to remove the PFAS for reuse of the media, or taken to a licensed landfill for disposal. In reverse osmosis (RO), the concentrated water stream, known as RO reject, is further treated or disposed of in an environmentally approved manner.
Are any technologies capable of destroying these contaminants without disposing of them in landfills or incinerators?
Typically, disposal of spent carbon media or ion exchange resin involves processing PFAS in a high-temperature incinerator or disposal in a licensed landfill. Regenerating carbon media using a kiln allows for recycling, while novel on-site resin regeneration processes are being explored for certain applications. RO requires suitable disposal of the concentrate, which can include further treatment and adherence to regulatory standards.
What does 91大神do if a landfill or disposal company refuses to take PFAS?
If a landfill refuses to accept waste containing PFAS, it is often because the landfill is not designed or licensed to receive hazardous substances. In such cases, 91大神helps connect the waste owner with a licensed disposal facility that can properly handle the waste, which may include incineration.
What is the most promising technology for PFAS treatment in the short and long term?
PFAS treatment involves separation, capture, and disposal. In the short term, RO and nanofiltration are effective for separation, while activated carbon and ion exchange are effective for capture. For disposal, the best available technology is high-temperature incineration, or a suitably licensed hazardous waste landfill. In the future, additional solutions may include advanced separation methods using gas bubbles (e.g. foam fractionation) and/or novel adsorbents that are more selective and cost-effective.
What is the most challenging aspect of tackling PFAS from drinking water?
The complexity of PFAS chemistry makes treatment difficult. Conventional water purification methods are not sufficient for PFAS removal. Only specialized techniques like carbon adsorption, ion exchange, nanofiltration, and RO are effective. The diversity of PFAS compounds and the evolving regulatory requirements add further challenges to achieving comprehensive removal.
Ultimately, managing the impact of PFAS requires a comprehensive approach involving scientific innovation, regulatory compliance, and collective responsibility. The best treatment solutions commonly use multiple technologies in a series to take advantage of each technology’s key strengths and work collectively to treat PFAS.
If you have more in-depth questions about PFAS or need help navigating treatment solutions, reach out to Veolia. Our team of experts is ready to assist with tailored advice and cutting-edge solutions to address PFAS challenges effectively.
