Advancements in PFAS Liquid Treatment Technologies: summary of a peer-reviewed journal paper

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent anthropogenic chemicals in the environment and resistant to natural degradation. They pose a number of health risks, including cancer, hormone disruption and obesity, to name a few. The recent establishment of the Final National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) and the designation of two PFAS compounds, perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) underscore the urgent need for effective PFAS management.  It is a critical component of a recommended proactive PFAS risk management approach. GHD’s PFAS National Technical Leader, Dr. Zhiyong Xia, recently co-authored a peer-reviewed technical paper (titled Available and Emerging Liquid Treatment Technologies for PFAS, [the Paper]) with fellow industry leaders in the PFAS field.  The Paper focuses on advancements in PFAS liquid treatment technologies and delves into the research conducted and the insights gained.

As emphasized in the Paper, the landscape of PFAS treatment technologies is rapidly evolving, with new technologies being piloted and new methods emerging. These technologies are broadly categorized into PFAS capture and PFAS destruction.  Both technology categories include commercial and emerging solutions, such as granular activated carbon (GAC), ion exchange resins (IX), reverse osmosis/nanofiltration (RO/NF), injectable sorbent media, and foam fractionation for PFAS capture, and supercritical water oxidation (SCWO), plasma, electrochemical oxidation, hydrothermal alkaline treatment, sonolysis, ultraviolet (UV) activated photoreduction, and electron beam (e-beam) technology for PFAS destruction.

The Paper examines both established and emerging PFAS treatment technologies for liquid matrices, evaluating their Technical Readiness Levels (TRLs) and conducting efficacy comparative analyses. Its findings offer utilities and clients valuable guidance and insights for risk management when selecting treatment options and understanding the associated trade-offs, including factors such as cost, effectiveness and environmental impact among others. By focusing on strengths and weaknesses, practitioners can assess efficacy consistently, similar to non-PFAS treatment technologies. As more PFAS-impacted sites are discovered, building capacity around adopted technologies becomes crucial to handle the increasing treatment demand.

The Paper can serve as a reference highlighting the current state of the science for PFAS liquid treatment for utilities, PFAS generators, and stakeholders navigating PFAS contamination, providing a comprehensive overview of available strategies and their applicability. As the field continues to advance, keeping abreast of developments in treatment methodologies remains essential for effective remediation efforts.

For those interested in a detailed exploration of the Paper’s findings, the full paper is available for purchase at the Wiley Online Library: Available and emerging liquid treatment technologies for PFASs - DiGuiseppi - 2024 - Remediation Journal - Wiley Online Library.  While the Paper is not intended to provide guidance on site-specific design of treatment systems, Dr. Xia and GHD Subject Matter Specialists can provide those services and are available for questions and discussion by email or phone through the Authors section, below.  For a summary of GHD’s full PFAS risk management services, please visit our expertise page.