PFAS, also known as ‘forever chemicals’ for their incredible longevity, are like those party guests who never leave, sticking to the couch in our environment. And while the authorities scramble to find solutions, PFAS are lounging in the groundwater as if on permanent holiday.
- Pfas, what are they and where to find them?
- Effects on human health and the environment
- Is it possible to remove PFAS?
Pfas, what are they and where to find them?
PFAS, also known as perfluoroalkyl substances, are a family of chemical compounds used in numerous industrial processes and consumer products due to their water- and oil-repellent properties.
They have been used since the 1950s in a myriad of applications, including the production of non-stick cookware, waterproof fabrics, coatings for food containers and fire-fighting foams.
Common sources of PFAS exposure includedrinking water, food and consumer goods such as personal care products and waterproof textiles.
However, their chemical stability and resistance to natural degradation processes have made them a worrying source of environmental pollution.
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is considering a proposal to restrict the use of PFAS under the REACH regulation. This proposal was submitted for public consultation and received more than 5,600 comments.
The next steps include evaluation by ECHA’s scientific committees, which will focus on various sectors, including cosmetics, textiles, food contact materials and fire-fighting foams.
Effects on human health and the environment
The presence of PFAS in the human body has been linked to various health problems. It includes increased cholesterol levels, thyroid diseases, immune system disorders, hormonal alterations and damage to the liver and nervous system.
The metabolism is altered, with consequences such as obesity and thyroid dysfunction.
We are talking about reproductive health, with possible impacts on foetal development and fertility for both men and women, but also childhood developmental issues and potential carcinogenic effects.
These compounds can contaminate water resources, including rivers, lakes and groundwater, impairing the quality of drinking water. In soil, they can persist for decades, adversely affecting soil quality and plant growth.
They tend to bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms, such as fish and molluscs, transferring these substances up the food chain and damaging entire ecosystem. It leads to a reduction in biodiversity.
Animals living in contaminated environments can ingest these substances, leading to health problems such as liver, immune and reproductive system damage.
Is it possible to remove PFAS?
PFAS remediation is particularly complex due to their persistence and resistance to degradation, but research is working hard on solutions:
- A technique developed by the University of Eastern Piedmont uses air bubbles to trap and remove PFAS from water, showing99% effectiveness in tests conducted in Denmark.
- ENEA has created a technology that uses an electron beam to degrade these compounds into substances that are easier to process by breaking the carbon-fluorine bonds.
- Reverse osmosis and activated carbon adsorption are among the most effective methods for removing PFAS from water, filtering the molecules and adsorbing the contaminants to significantly reduce concentrations in water networks.
- Phytoremediation uses specific plants, such as reeds, showing great potential in removing these substances.
- Immobilisation aims to prevent the migration of PFAS into soil and groundwater, preventing further spread of contamination.
- Bacteria that degrade and weaken molecular bonds offer hope for soil remediation.
These approaches might be sustainable solutions in the long term, but prevention in these cases is always preferable.
It is therefore essential to use alternative, risk-free materials.
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