PFAS RESOURCES
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New Filter Technology May Provide Solution To Fluorine Pollution
Bioscience engineers of KU Leuven have discovered a new method to filter harmful perfluorinated chemicals from water. So-called PFAS, used, for example, in non-stick pans and water-repellent clothing, do not degrade and accumulate in the environment, with potential health risks as a result.
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Researchers Step Toward Understanding How Toxic PFAS Chemicals Spread From Release Sites
A study led by Brown University researchers sheds new light on how pollutants found in firefighting foams are distributed in water and surface soil at release sites
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Study: More Than 200 Million Americans Could Have Toxic PFAS In Their Drinking Water
A peer-reviewed study by scientists at the Environmental Working Group estimates that more than 200 million Americans could have the toxic fluorinated chemicals known as PFAS in their drinking water at a concentration of 1 part per trillion, or ppt, or higher.
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Traces Of PFAS Found In Bottled Water Products
A group of chemicals that has proven to be pervasive throughout the country’s source water and public water systems has now been traced to bottled and canned water supplies as well.
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MDE Releases Report On Sampling For PFAS In St. Mary’s River Surface Water And Oysters
A new report shows that sampling of surface water and oysters in the St. Mary’s River for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, found no levels of concern.
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Growth Opportunities Are On The Horizon In The Water And Wastewater Treatment Equipment Market As Public Concern On PFAS Rises
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a family of ever-expanding, complex man-made compounds that have leached into our soil, air, and water. There are nearly 5,000 different types of PFAS found in various products like nonstick cookware, food packaging, cleaning supplies, paints, waterproof jackets, firefighting foams, carpets, and more.
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New Study Finds Cause-And-Effect Between PFAS Consumption, Reproductive Issues
New research has underscored the pervasive health effects that can stem from one of the country’s most notorious drinking water contaminants — and it might become key in legal battles between consumers and the industrial operations responsible for introducing them into water systems.
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The National Ground Water Association Offers New PFAS Educational Resource For Contractors
The National Ground Water Association (NGWA) has released a new educational resource for water well contractors concerning per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
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Curtin Research Creates Faster, On-Site Way To Detect PFAS
Curtin University research has developed a new and easier on-site method to immediately and accurately detect and measure levels of PFAS, which are persistent environmental pollutants sometimes found in contaminated lands and waters around the industrialised world.
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Brown and Caldwell Selected As Owner Advisor For The Design-Build Of Treatment Plants To Remove PFAS From Groundwater
The City of Anaheim (Anaheim) has enlisted Brown and Caldwell to provide owner advisory services for the design-build delivery of multiple groundwater treatment plants.
PFAS SOLUTIONS
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Activated Carbon For PFAS Treatment: Why Base Material Matters
Granular activated carbon (GAC) is an effective and proven technology for the removal of PFAS and many other harmful organic compounds. But, not all products are the same and using the right GAC can make the difference between success and failure.
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Carbon Systems
Loprest designs and manufactures granular activated carbon (GAC) treatment systems for taste and odor applications, chlorine removal, PFC’s, 1 2 3 TCP, PCE/TCE, 1 4 dioxane, and many other contaminants. Loprest has a long, successful history in the selection and application of the proper carbon media for the application.
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How To Cost-Effectively Remove Multiple Contaminants From Water Simultaneously
Water utilities must protect the public health by producing a final product that meets all regulatory requirements. In addition, the water must be pleasing to the customer, with no taste or odor issues. And finally, utilities must stay abreast of emerging contaminants, health advisories, and new regulations. It’s a constant challenge to shoulder these responsibilities while staying within tight budgets. Utilities need a technology that helps them achieve multiple goals cost-effectively.
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Ultrapure Water For Determination of Toxic Elements In Environmental Analyses
In this paper the importance of reagent water quality for toxic element environmental analyses is discussed, and the suitability of fresh ultrapure water produced using MilliporeSigma water purification systems for ICP-OES and ICP-MS trace element analyses in environmental laboratories is demonstrated.
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GAC vs IX For PFAS Removal
Protecting the public health and ensuring water is safe to drink is the highest goal of water system managers. Negative health effects are indicated from exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctyl sulfonate (PFOS). Based on lab studies, the U.S. EPA has issued a health advisory for PFOA and PFOS in drinking water of 70 parts per trillion. While health advisories are not enforceable, they offer a margin of safety for consumers.
ABOUT PFAS
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals that have sometimes been called “forever chemicals” for their persistent nature in the environment, difficulty to remove through treatment, and bioaccumulation in humans and animals. Two types of PFAS — perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) — have been identified as toxic by the U.S. EPA, while many more of the nearly 5,000 PFAS formulas are either suspected contaminants or have yet to be studied thoroughly. Originally developed for non-stick coatings, stain-repellant fabric treatments, and firefighting foams, PFAS are especially prevalent near former areas of high use — such as manufacturing facilities, airports, military bases, or the sites of large fires — yet widely problematic.
In February 2020, the EPA issued preliminary determinations to regulate PFOA and PFOS under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and establish the first national PFAS monitoring and treatment requirements for drinking water utilities (see EPA’s PFAS Action Plan). Numerous U.S. states, however, have already developed rules and guidance for PFAS.
This solution center addresses the topics and questions most important to drinking water professionals as the PFAS issue evolves — How does PFAS get into drinking water? How do utilities monitor for PFAS? What treatment technologies remove PFAS? What are the regulatory limits for PFAS? — with answers provided through breaking news stories, editorial insight, and technical discussions.