14 September 2023:

Unveiling PFAS contamination: Is its widespread infiltration and lasting impact on water quality the defining challenge of our generation? Let’s delve in.

As more is becoming known about the toxicity of PFAS contaminants, the extent of global exposure, and as laboratories develop new measures to test for the presence of the more than 14,000 various PFAS contaminants, PFAS is rapidly becoming recognised as a contaminant of growing concern on the global stage.

PFAS is listed as an ‘emerging contaminant’ in the Stockholm Convention. Even at low levels, PFAS compounds are impacting people and the planet with widespread concerns about their characteristics of persistence, bioaccumulation, toxicity and impacts on human health.

While some waters are more highly contaminated than others, the problem is extensive. Studies suggest links to cancer, immune system disorders, thyroid dysfunction and fertility problems.

For more information about the health impacts of PFAS, please consider these articles:

https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/health-effects/index.html

https://www.epa.gov/pfas/our-current-understanding-human-health-and-environmental-risks-pfas

https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-is-pfas

https://pfas-1.itrcweb.org/7-human-and-ecological-health-effects-of-select-pfas/

PFAS is not just found in landfill leachate and industrial waters; it’s in drinking water, rainwater, groundwater, lakes, rivers and the oceans. It’s in the blood of 97 per cent of all Americans. It’s found in the blood of polar bears.

The extent of the problem is also illustrated by the fact that there are some 3,300 court cases currently taking place in the US, which is the largest communal action against corporations ever launched there; greater than asbestos and PCB’s.

Demand for a solution to the problem is increasing in line with tightening global regulations and increased awareness about the harm.

As PFAS is a relatively newly discovered contaminant, the world is playing catch up in finding solutions on a global scale to remediate the problem.

Which means we are very proud of our Australian technology which was first used by the Australian Department of Defence at Army Aviation Centre Oakey (QLD) back in 2018 to successfully remediate PFAS from groundwater.

Our foam fractionation technology, known as SAFF (Surface Active Foam Fractionation) is now taking off in the USA, Europe and Australia.

To find out more about our global impact, click here

Any questions, please contact us at info@epocenviro.com

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