The global PFAS problem and its current solution

A troublesome group of chemicals that have been commonly used since the 1940s are causing havoc in the global environment, posing significant human and animal health risks. Per- and Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substances, also known as PFAS, are toxic chemicals made of long chains of strongly bonded carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and fluorine molecules.

PFAS is highly resistant to oil, grease, water, and heat, which is one of the reasons they have been so widely applied in the manufacturing industries for things like non-stick cookware, waterproof cosmetics, fabrics, furniture, carpet stain protection and food packaging. Until around 2012, PFAS was also still used in fire-fighting foam, which leached into the environment whenever it was used.

PFAS are known as the ‘forever chemicals’. PFAS does not break down in the environment on its own. In fact, it can take over 1,000 years for some PFAS chemicals to break down organically. These toxic chemicals are extremely heat and chemical resistant, and until recently there was no evidence to suggest that biological agents might be one day available to the world to destroy PFAS. There has been some excitement lately, following an announcement that research undertaken by chemists at Northwestern University (USA) indicated that bacteria could one day be used to break some species of PFAS down. While this is exciting for the future, this process will take years, if not decades, to properly develop before it can be put into action. So, what do we do in the meantime? Is PFAS really affecting us and the world we live in that much?

Chances are, there may be PFAS in your bloodstream right now

According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), PFAS was found in the blood of 97% of Americans. Similar studies are being conducted worldwide. The Australian Federal Government publicly acknowledged serious concerns around PFAS contamination and has established an Expert Health Panel dedicated to PFAS, however too little is being done in to curb the current and future impacts.

At present, it is very common practice is to simply move PFAS contaminated materials from one place to another. While this ‘out of sight, out of mind’ approach may seem attractive to organisations that fear addressing this important issue in the public eye, it is neither sustainable or safe.

PFAS is highly mobile and tends to reach groundwater supplies without much fuss. It flows easily in what is called “leachate”. When you think about it, the fact that PFAS can take over 1,000 years to degrade on its own, this equates to more than 33 generations that will be born and grow up in a world riddled with toxic PFAS. We believe future generations (and all of us alive today) deserve better.

Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic delayed an important epidemiological study into the potential health effects of exposure to PFAS by over a year. Despite emerging international evidence on PFAS contamination and its potential effects, it seems Australia remains in the tailwinds. Research already shows there is a problem, and this is reflected by links between PFAS and various cancers. Without sounding alarmist, this probably means that we should all be at least a little concerned that PFAS contamination is widespread and can have significant impacts on our health.  

Synergen Met’s proprietary technology can remove and destroy PFAS right now

Over the course of 12 years, Synergen Met has developed a thermal plasma technology platform that uses foam fractionation to remove and destroy PFAS in liquid form (e.g., concentrates, contaminated ground water, sludge water, waste dump leachate). This solution is ready and available for use right now, in Australia and internationally. You’re probably wondering how it works?

Synergen Met’s proprietary PFAS removal and destruction process uses an extremely hot plasma torch to ionise PFAS chemicals (in liquids) to break them into their gaseous base molecules. These gases are then intentionally reformed into safer, inert compounds that are more easily managed. At specific temperatures, the PFAS molecules are prevented from reforming back as PFAS (or variants of it, which are also very toxic). Comparatively, many companies around the world currently use out-dated processes (e.g., incineration) to try and destroy PFAS. However, the temperatures they use are too low, and this means they still end up with toxic PFAS in the final outputs. Those out-dated solutions are far from ideal or safe.

Instead, at the end of the Synergen Met PFAS treatment process, all residual water is effectively cleaned to below standard EPA discharge levels. This helps ensure the safety of our waterways and environment.

We believe that the proof is in the pudding, so let us share some recent results.

Synergen Met recently completed a 6-month trial after being engaged to remove and destroyed PFAS from leachate that was flowing from a council remediation waste dump in South-East Queensland. We installed our portable, modularised treatment plant and used foam-fractionation methods to ‘wash’ the PFAS chemicals out of the leachate. During this project, the processing plant was able to comfortably process 1,000L per hour. The fluorine that resulted from breaking down PFAS was captured as a simple mineral species, either calcium or sodium fluoride. The Synergen Met PFAS treatment plant can operate continuously and autonomously throughout a 24/7 period with remote monitoring. Operator intervention is only required for sampling and maintenance.

If you would like to learn more about the Synergen Met PFAS treatment technology, please contact us.