Treatment technologies for removal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in biosolids

Designing Super Fine Activated Carbon-Functionalized Thin-Film Nanocomposite Membranes for Adsorptive Removal of Per- and Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substances

“…Conventional drinking water treatment processes like coagulation, flocculation, and sedimentation were ineffective in removing PFOS/PFOA from water due to its chemical stability and trace-level concentrations present in real water systems. , Wastewater treatment plants do not foster the removal of PFAS as most of the rejected retentates, including PFOS, are more likely to be discarded as a part of sludge to landfills increasing the PFOS concentrations in the landfills, in turn seeping into the groundwater leading to a complex PFAS cycle in the hydrosphere and atmosphere. − Hence, there is a need for technologies to collect and concentrate PFAS. Nanofiltration (NF) membranes via the size-exclusion mechanism displayed PFOS recovery of around 75–80% .…”

Detection of Perfluorooctanoic and Perfluorodecanoic Acids on a Graphene-Based Electrochemical Sensor Aided by Computational Simulations

“…Consequently, graphene-modified electrodes have been extensively explored as sensor materials in electrochemical techniques due to their high sensitivity and selectivity, which is a crucial factor in environmental monitoring . Perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) belong to the class of per- and poly fluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), having high chemical and thermal stabilities due to their unreactive and stable C–F bonds, making them extensively used in various applications. − Due to their exceptional chemical inertness, PFCAs can contaminate surface and groundwater sources, leading to environmental and health hazards due to their toxicity even at trace levels since these compounds have been linked to carcinogenicity, hepatic dysfunction, sterility, thyroidal disorders, and related adverse human health effects. , Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is another significantly produced and used PFCA that has applications in lubricants, textiles, surfactants industries, fluoropolymer coatings, pesticides, and aqueous film-forming froths for fire-extinguishing gear. − …”

Structural Features of Styrene-Functionalized Cyclodextrin Polymers That Promote the Adsorption of Perfluoroalkyl Acids in Water

“…Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a class of fluorinated surfactants used in many industrial and consumer products including firefighting foams, food packaging, cookware, waterproof textiles, and personal care products. − PFASs are bioaccumulative and environmentally persistent due to their innate thermal and chemical stability. − Chronic exposure to even trace amounts of some PFASs has been associated with adverse health impacts, such as high cholesterol, thyroid disease, low birth weight, liver damage and kidney cancer. − Our understanding of the negative effects associated with many individual PFASs and PFAS mixtures continues to develop. , Because of their widespread use and environmental persistence, PFAS contamination is now a major health and environmental crisis, affecting water resources around the world. − In March 2023, the U.S. EPA proposed enforceable limits for six PFASs in drinking water . For example, the proposed maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for two legacy perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), are 4 ng L –1 , along with combined limits at similar concentrations for four others. , As PFAS regulations are established around the world, it is clear that PFASs should be phased out for all but the most critical and environmentally containable use cases, while legacy contamination is addressed through environmental remediation and degradation into benign byproducts. − …”