Tackling the Widespread Threat of PFAS Contamination

PFAS: The Invisible Threat and the Race for Remediation

PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of man-made chemicals that have become an increasingly concerning environmental issue.

These chemicals are used in the manufacturing of fluoropolymer coatings and products that resist grease, heat, oil, stains, and more. PFAS have infiltrated soil, water, and air, and are found in various products such as non-stick cookware, water-repellent clothing, stain-resistant fabrics, carpets, cosmetics, firefighting foams, and food contact materials. With over 200 million Americans drinking water contaminated, the United States has identified over 57,000 contaminated sites, and more are being discovered every day.

Prolonged PFAS exposure has been linked to various health issues, including altered immune and thyroid function, liver disease, lipid and insulin dysregulation, kidney disease, adverse reproductive and developmental outcomes, lowered vaccine efficacy in children, and cancer. Current estimates suggest that PFAS exposure costs Americans over $37 billion annually in healthcare costs.

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Regulatory Landscape and Stakeholder Impact

Local and federal guidelines are being established to address the growing problem of PFAS contamination. Several states have developed their own enforceable standards for drinking water, and state governments have allocated resources for sampling and remediation in waterways. The Biden-Harris 2021-2024 plan aims to understand the prevalence and distribution of PFAS chemicals across the country, and the EPA has proposed the National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for six of them. The Department of Defense (DoD) is conducting a cleanup assessments at nearly 700 installations and expects to complete initial assessments by the end of 2023.

As enforceable regulations are adopted across the US, research and adoption of new treatment and disposal methodologies for PFAS are expected to increase. Opportunities in this space will be relevant to remediation service providers, emitters, and regulators.

Technologies today and tomorrow

Current treatment methodologies for PFAS include activated carbon, ion exchange resins, and membranes for reverse osmosis or nanofiltration. However, these methods only remove PFAS, not destroy it, necessitating incineration for disposal.

Emerging technologies and treatment methods aim to not only isolate and remove PFAS from water but also dispose of it without the need for incineration. As research progresses, these new technologies are expected to become more readily available and accepted.

Relevance and Market Growth

The American Water Works Association (AWWA) estimates the annualized costs of compliance in the US at $2-4.5 billion for drinking and wastewater remediation. The PFAS remediation and disposal market is expected to grow at a CAGR of close to 20% over the next five years.

As new regulations address additional types of PFAS, market growth will be driven by an increase in the number of treatment sites and the volume of treatment needed. While current remediation methods focus only on drinking water, guidelines on PFAS removal and disposal from wastewater are expected to emerge in 2024.

Companies currently emitting PFAS can include alternatives as part of their sustainability goals for the next decade. For example, 3M announced plans to cease PFAS manufacturing by 2025, and more research and development are expected in this space. Additionally, research is underway to find less hazardous alternatives in household and industry staples.

PFAS is an urgent and essential topic as regulations and technologies are developed at both federal and state levels in the US. The market for remediation and disposal will continue to grow as we discover more of its harmful effects and dangers to human life. As we look towards a developing sustainability strategy, addressing the presence of these chemicals in products around us is of utmost importance.