Part 3 – Beyond PFAS: Alternatives and technologies for removal

Since their development, PFAS have been used at a steadily increasing rate across multiple industries and applications. Some of the first PFAS developed had a long-chain structure, which tends to be more resistant to degradation and hence more damaging to living beings and the environment. These original long-chained PFAS have been heavily restricted around the world and replaced by shorter-chained PFAS, which may degrade more easily than their long-chained counterparts but are still concerning. In most cases, when a specific PFAS is replaced, another PFAS is used. This has led to a steady increase in the use of PFAS and, consequently, their pollution.

The heightened concerns around PFAS use and pollution from consumers, organizations, and governments around the world have led to growing interest in identifying alternatives to PFAS. This has been challenging since there is no single alternative to all PFAS, and substitutes must meet the specific needs of the application for which they are used. Replacing PFAS necessitates analyzing how the substitute changes performance, cost, and volume, as well as its environmental impact. It is important to find alternatives and reduce the use of PFAS, but it is crucial that these alternatives do not pose more risks to the environment and to consumers.

Research related to removing PFAS from the environment is also growing. Currently, most of the processes used to clean up PFAS are methods typically used to treat polluted water, soil, and air, but their efficiency has room for improvement. Different technologies are being studied to clean up PFAS, with a particular focus on their collection and destruction. A suite of technologies would enable a customized approach to treatment based on the specifics of the pollution. It is highly likely that more than one technology will be needed for cleanup in most cases – a so-called “treatment train.” However, advances in cleanup technologies should not be used to rationalize the continued indiscriminate use of PFAS.

Breaking down PFAS

This report is part 3 in a three-part series on PFAS. Visit the complete series here: Breaking down PFAS