### How to Eliminate Harmful ‘Forever Chemicals’
In recent years, a growing emphasis has been placed on tackling harmful substances known as PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, colloquially referred to as “forever chemicals.” Parker Bovée, a representative from the Cleantech Group, highlights the urgent need for these substances to be addressed, outlining the significance of technologies aimed at their destruction.
PFAS are synthetic chemicals utilized for their remarkable properties of water and grease resistance, making them commonplace in products such as waterproof clothing, non-stick pans, lipsticks, and food packaging. Despite their functional benefits, PFAS are exceptionally resilient, persisting unaltered in the environment for decades, if not centuries. This longevity poses significant health risks, including an increased likelihood of certain cancers and reproductive issues.
The persistence of PFAS in the environment stems from their strong carbon-fluorine bonds. However, efforts to manage these harmful compounds are progressing. Upon being detected in water and soil, PFAS can be concentrated and captured as waste. The challenge remains: how to dispose of this concentrated waste effectively? Current methods involve either costly long-term storage, incineration—which often fails to completely eliminate toxicity—or disposal in hazardous landfills.
Fortunately, innovative clean-tech companies are developing methods to effectively destroy PFAS. These emerging technologies are currently undergoing pilot testing in a variety of settings, including industrial manufacturers, municipal wastewater facilities, and even military operations, signifying a growing recognition of the urgency to mitigate PFAS contamination.
Market opportunities in PFAS destruction are expanding, particularly in the United States, where funding has been allocated through entities like Ofwat in the United Kingdom to explore various technologies. This initiative reflects a global understanding of the need for effective PFAS management, especially as legal limits and regulatory requirements increasingly come into play. In the U.S., legislation is expected to regulate PFAS levels in drinking water starting in 2031, while the European Union has laid down similar restrictions for member states.
Among the cutting-edge technologies being tested, electrochemical oxidation (EO) stands out as one of the most advanced. This process involves submerging contaminated water with electrodes and inducing a current, which breaks down the PFAS molecules. While it consumes considerable energy, EO is relatively easy to implement alongside existing water treatment infrastructures. Canadian start-up Axine Water Technologies has already made strides, selling commercial-scale EO systems to clients and successfully integrating them into their operations.
Another promising technology is Supercritical Water Oxidation (SCWO), which transforms wastewater into a supercritical state through intense pressure and heat. This process effectively disrupts the carbon-fluorine bonds. North Carolina-based 374Water specializes in this method and has demonstrated its capability to process both solid and liquid PFAS waste, including contaminated plastics.
Simultaneously, municipalities like Orlando, Florida, are actively pursuing these technologies. The City is currently testing 374Water’s SCWO system at its largest wastewater treatment facility. Alan Oyler, in charge of public works special projects in Orlando, expresses optimism regarding the initial results and notes the importance of preemptively managing PFAS levels in anticipation of future regulations.
Other technologies are also poised to enter the market, such as hydrothermal alkaline treatment (HALT) and plasma-based technology, both of which offer unique methods for breaking down PFAS compounds.
However, experts, including Jay Meegoda from the New Jersey Institute of Technology, caution against potential harmful byproducts generated during PFAS destruction. For instance, the EO process may yield corrosive hydrogen fluoride vapors that require careful handling and rigorous study to adequately evaluate their safety and environmental impact.
A vital partner in advancing PFAS destruction technologies has been the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD). The DOD is grappling with significant contamination from legacy firefighting foams used in training exercises, with over 700 known or suspected contaminated sites scattered across military installations. The government has begun exploring cleanup options and assessing the impact and viability of various destruction technologies developed by private companies.
Aquagga, a company specializing in HALT technology, is already engaging with the DOD to develop solutions for destroying firefighting foam and other PFAS-laden waste streams. As the U.S. pushes forward with domestic computer chip manufacturing—which heavily utilizes PFAS—there is emerging potential for creating additional streams of PFAS waste, further highlighting the need for effective destruction technologies.
In conclusion, as our understanding of PFAS contamination continues to evolve, the development and implementation of innovative technologies present a promising pathway toward a cleaner, safer environment. The quest to eliminate these ‘forever chemicals’ is gaining momentum, driven by regulatory pressures and a burgeoning market eager for sustainable solutions.
