#PFAS remediation

[thoughtlessarse]

Per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are known as "forever chemicals" because they are notoriously resistant to degradation. Due to their stable chemical structure, PFAS—which are found in thousands of variants—are used in oil and grease-resistant food packaging, non-stick cookware, cosmetics, clothing, and fire-fighting foams. The chemicals are so widespread that they have infiltrated water sources and soil. In fact, recent reports have found that much of our global water resources exceed the drinking limits of PFAS and concerns over their environmental and health impacts have steadily escalated. Despite ongoing efforts to develop ways of degrading PFAS, current methods are limited by a lack of efficient, scalable and environmentally friendly processes. Now, a team of scientists from UNSW's School of Chemistry have designed a catalyst system that can activate a reaction to break down common types of branched PFAS. The new method, developed by Dr. Jun Sun and Professor Naresh Kumar and recently published in the journal Water Research, holds promise for more efficient and sustainable PFAS remediation in the future. Working alongside Prof Denis O'Carroll, Prof Michael Manefield and Dr. Matthew Lee from the UNSW School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, the team have designed a catalyst system that could play a key role in solving the problem of PFAS.

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[wausaupilot]

UWSP faculty awarded grant for soils research

The group’s proposal, Phytoremediation of PFAS in Wisconsin Soils using Hemp and Alfalfa, was funded $175,000, to be split between two years from January 2024 through December 2025.

STEVENS POINT – Five faculty members at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and a collaborator at UW-Madison were awarded one of three 2023 Universities of Wisconsin Innovation Grants for research on phytoremediation, the removal of synthetic materials from soil using living plants, UWSP announced today. The group’s proposal, Phytoremediation of PFAS in Wisconsin Soils using Hemp and…

[membrane-systems]

Why should we have your reverse osmosis system? In any case, Membrane Systems Australia is a South Australian family-owned business. We have been researching, developing, and maintaining water purification systems for a long time. We are dedicated about creating workable, affordable solutions that save the environment while allowing businesses to operate without jeopardising the public's health. Read more......

[membranesystems]

Water Treatment Plant

[norfloxacin1]

"Forever chemicals" might not be forever after all!  Discover a groundbreaking new technology that can break down PFAS pollution using light and special catalysts.

[justinrichter]

PFAS Remediation Solutions

Protect your environment and health with advanced PFAS remediation solutions effectively removing harmful contaminants from water and soil. Get your eye on the image for effective remediation solutions.

[percasolutions]

Perca is dedicated to promoting sustainable agriculture through innovative practices, focusing on the benefits of composting with Eisenia fetida. These red wiggler worms are highly effective in breaking down organic matter, resulting in nutrient-rich vermicompost that enhances soil health and fertility. Perca offers resources and solutions for both home gardeners and commercial growers, emphasizing the importance of using Eisenia fetida for sustainable farming. By integrating these worms into composting systems, Perca aims to reduce waste and improve agricultural productivity, contributing to a greener future.

[carbonxtgroupblog]

Carbonxt Group Reports 19% Revenue Surge and Secures Major Contracts in June Quarter

Carbonxt Group Limited (ASX: CG1) (Carbonxt or the Company) has reported a strong performance for the June 2024 quarter, marked by a 19% revenue increase and significant contract wins. The company’s new Kentucky facility, operated by NewCarbon Processing, LLC, is nearing completion.

Carbonxt remains focused on driving operational cash flow from both current and upcoming facilities. With this expansion, the company aims to improve manufacturing cost efficiencies, which is expected to boost margins and enhance overall growth.

[mindblowingscience]

Scientists from the University of Rochester have developed new electrochemical approaches to clean up pollution from "forever chemicals" found in clothing, food packaging, firefighting foams, and a wide array of other products. A new Journal of Catalysis study describes nanocatalysts developed to remediate per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances known as PFAS. The researchers, led by assistant professor of chemical engineering Astrid Müller, focused on a specific type of PFAS called Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), which was once widely used for stain-resistant products but is now banned in much of the world for its harm to human and animal health. PFOS is still widespread and persistent in the environment despite being phased out by US manufacturers in the early 2000s, continuing to show up in water supplies.

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[gottalottarocks]

It’s quite exciting to be working in environmental remediation when the EPA has just set maximum contaminant levels for these 6 PFAS compounds, which is the first time they’ve set new MCLs in quite a while. So I’ve been in a million meetings mentioning PFAS and “PFAS has taken over LinkedIn feeds!!!” was an actual bullet point in a PowerPoint today

[wausaupilot]

Toxic chemicals and cleanup efforts on next 'Route 51'

Tune in at 10 a.m. Jan. 26.

WAUSAU – Communities throughout Wisconsin are grappling with ways to deal with contaminated water and soil after new research that suggests PFAS, dioxin and other toxic chemicals can have significant implications on public health. As scientists continue to work toward a better understanding of the risks involved, regulators are monitoring cleanup efforts, which can be costly and difficult to…

[membrane-systems]

Our PFAS Remediation services, we specialise in a range of other waste water management and remediation solutions including desalination, irrigation and the production of potable-grade water. Our team of professionals also offers flexible service and maintenance, as well as 24/7 emergency repairs, to maintain the effectiveness and efficiency of your systems. Our team is always happy to offer their seasoned opinion when discussing a specialised watery recovery or PFAS remediation system that meets your unique needs.  Read more.....

[reasoningdaily]

The Associated Press: 22 attorneys general oppose 3M settlement over water systems contamination with 'forever chemicals'

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — Twenty-two attorneys general urged a federal court Wednesday to reject a proposed $10.3 billion settlement over contamination of U.S. public drinking water systems with potentially dangerous chemicals, saying it lets manufacturer 3M Co. off too easily.

The deal announced in June doesn’t give individual water suppliers enough time to determine how much money they would get and whether it would cover their costs of removing the compounds known collectively as PFAS, said the officials with 19 states, Washington, D.C., and two territories. In some cases the agreement could shift liability from the company to providers, they said.

“While I appreciate the effort that went into it, the proposed settlement in its current form does not adequately account for the pernicious damage that 3M has done in so many of our communities,” said California Attorney General Rob Bonta, leader of the multistate coalition.

3M spokesman Sean Lynch said the agreement “will benefit U.S.-based public water systems nationwide that provide drinking water to a vast majority of Americans” without further litigation.

“It is not unusual for there to be objections regarding significant settlement agreements,” Lynch said. “We will continue to work cooperatively to address questions about the terms of the resolution.”

The company, based in St. Paul, Minnesota, manufactures per- and polyfluorinated substances — a broad class of chemicals used in nonstick, water- and grease-resistant products such as clothing and cookware, as well as some firefighting foams.

Described as “forever chemicals” because they don’t degrade naturally in the environment, PFAS have been linked to a variety of health problems, including liver and immune-system damage and some cancers.

3M has said it plans to stop making them by the end of 2025.

Some 300 communities have sued 3M and other companies over water pollution from the compounds. A number of states, airports, firefighter training facilities and private well owners also have pending cases.

They have been consolidated in U.S. District Court in Charleston, South Carolina, where the proposed settlement was filed last month.

Although the company put its value at $10.3 billion, an attorney for the water providers said it could reach as high as $12.5 billion, depending on how many detect PFAS during testing the Environmental Protection Agency has ordered over the next three years.

The law firm representing the water providers did not immediately respond Wednesday to messages seeking comment.

EPA in March proposed strict limits on two common types, PFOA and PFOS, and said it wanted to regulate four others.

In addition to California, states urging Judge Richard Gergel to reject the deal included Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont and Wisconsin. Also opposed were Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands.

In a court filing, the attorneys general said it would force nearly all public water providers nationwide to participate unless they withdraw individually — even those that haven’t filed suits or tested for PFAS.

“Troublingly, they would have to make their opt-out decisions without knowing how much they would actually receive and, in many cases, before knowing the extent of contamination in their water supplies and the cost of remediating it,” the officials said in a statement.

A provision in the proposed deal would shift liability from 3M to water suppliers that don’t opt out, the statement said. That could enable the company to seek compensation from providers if sued over cancer or other illnesses in PFAS-affected communities, it said.

“As such, the proposed settlement is worth far less than the advertised $10.5 billion to $12.5 billion,” the attorneys general said.

The attorneys general did not take a position on a separate $1.18 billion deal to resolve PFAS complaints against DuPont de Nemours Inc. and spinoffs Chemours Co. and Corteva Inc.

[tsmom1219]

‘Safe School Meals Act’ addresses pesticides, PFAS, food dyes, and more in school lunches

Read the full story at Food Safety Magazine. On September 18, 2024, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced the Safe School Meals Act, a bill that would make widespread reforms to school lunches to reduce the presence of toxic heavy metals, pesticides, artificial food dyes, and chemical contaminants. At the same time, the legislation contains provisions about soil and water remediation on…