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Description: Protecting potable water from forever chemicals
Protecting potable water from forever chemicals
The family of Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) — also known as “forever chemicals” — is extremely persistent in the environment. PFAS, which includes more than 4,500 synthetic chemicals, are organic compounds whose hydrogen atoms are replaced by fluorine. The bonds between fluorine and carbon are extremely strong and difficult to break. The two main PFAS compound structures are perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS). PFAS present a significant treatment technology challenge because of their properties, diversity, numbers, and usually low parts per billion (ppb) and parts per trillion (ppt) environmental presence. Water treatment technologies for low-level concentrations include granular activated carbon (GAC), reverse osmosis (RO), anion exchange (IX), and possibly advanced oxidation (AO). The article provides an overview of sources and government advisory limits, and explains how various treatment processes are used to remove them from wastewater.
Author(s)
Viraj deSilva
SourceArticle from July/ Aug 2019 World Water Magazine
Project IDWW28
SubjectWater Quality;Wastewater Treatment
Document typeMagazine article
PublisherWater Environment Federation
Print publication date Sep 2019
ISSN1354-313X
Volume / Issue42 / 4
Content sourceWorld Water Magazine
First / last page(s)18 - 19
Copyright2019
Word count2,335
Subject keywordsmembranesPFAS removalgranular activated carbonanion exchangereverse osmosisadvanced oxidationEPAforever chemicalsPFAS Action Planpublic health

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Description: Protecting potable water from forever chemicals
EPA Action Plan for PFAS
Protecting potable water from forever chemicals
In April 2019, the EPA announced a new PFAS Action Plan, which includes setting a maximum containment level (MCL) for PFOS and PFOA. Most of the current activity is focused on PFOA and PFOS because they have a long history of use in numerous products, and they have long elimination half-lives. However, the EPA plan will also address the broader spectrum of PFAS as many other fluorinated compounds...
PublisherWater Environment Federation
Copyright2019
Word count114
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Description: Protecting potable water from forever chemicals
PFAS contamination sources
Protecting potable water from forever chemicals
There are four major sources of PFAS: fire training and response sites, manufacturing sites, land-fills, and water resource recovery facilities (WRRF). Non-point sources may be associated with land-applied biosolids and atmos-pheric deposition. Other point sources of PFAS may exist, but generally are expected to be insignificant compared to these four main sources:
PublisherWater Environment Federation
Copyright2019
Word count222
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Description: Protecting potable water from forever chemicals
Cycling PFAS between landfills and WRRFs
Protecting potable water from forever chemicals
In a WRRF, biosolids generated during the secondary treatment of wastewater are largely removed before the discharge of the treated effluent. These biosolids are either used in agriculture to improve the quality of agricultural lands for crop production or disposed at a landfill. The application of biosolids is usually regulated under state and federal programs. If the facility receives wastewater...
PublisherWater Environment Federation
Copyright2019
Word count231
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Description: Protecting potable water from forever chemicals
PFAS removal
Protecting potable water from forever chemicals
Conventional treatment methods won’t remove PFAS. As more US states continue to move forward with tighter regulations of PFAS, other states will follow. Many universities and research and development (R&D) institutions are developing new and emerging technologies to produce a long-term solution to managing PFAS. It is important to forge relationships with these institutions early and to...
PublisherWater Environment Federation
Copyright2019
Word count476
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Description: Protecting potable water from forever chemicals
Summary
Protecting potable water from forever chemicals
The US Food and Drug Adminis-tration (FDA) confirmed that forever chemicals were detected in many foods. The FDA tested 91 foods, including fresh produce, baked goods, meat, and fish. PFAS chemicals were found in sweet potatoes, pineapples, leafy greens, chocolate cake with icing, ground turkey, oven-roasted chicken, and boiled shrimp.
PublisherWater Environment Federation
Copyright2019
Word count680
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Description: Protecting potable water from forever chemicals
Author’s Note
Protecting potable water from forever chemicals
SCS Engineers’ Wastewater Treat-ment Director Dr. Viraj deSilva has 30 years of experience in the evaluation, sizing, and design of treatment processes for water, wastewater, leachate, and solids-handling facilities. He has conducted projects in 12 countries and serves on several national PFAS technical committees. Currently, Dr. deSilva serves as the Landfill Management Division vice...
PublisherWater Environment Federation
Copyright2019
Word count81
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Description: Protecting potable water from forever chemicals
References
Protecting potable water from forever chemicals
1. Appleman, T, et al. Treatment of poly-and perfluoroalkyl substances in US full-scale water treatment systems. Water Research, 51, 246-255.
PublisherWater Environment Federation
Copyright2019
Word count82
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Protecting potable water from forever chemicals