Conquering forever chemicals: Simultaneous elimination of Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and their precursors from contaminated soil

Per- and polyfluoro-alkyl substances (PFAS) are extremely stable synthetic chemicals that have been employed for decades in various industries. The application of PFAS-containing firefighting foams is a significant source of PFAS deposits in soil. Removing PFAS from soil is crucial to prevent their diffusion into groundwater and surface water.

Current remediation technologies including stabilization using activated carbon, PFAS removal by plant uptake or heat-based treatments, fall short due to cost and incomplete removal, requiring further advancement of the technologies.

PFAS-contaminated soil often contains other chemicals known as precursors, which can be transformed into PFAS, eventually causing similar adverse effects. Thus, it is also important to consider them while developing technologies to clean up contaminated soil.

The current project aims to develop an innovative method for removing and degrading different types of PFAS from soil, with a focus on the often-overlooked PFAS precursors.

To achieve this, each of the individual state-of-the-art methods will be advanced and integrated into another to create a treatment system that will simultaneously remove, concentrate, and destroy PFAS and their precursors.

The project findings will constitute crucial support in fulfilling Swedish national environmental quality objectives including Good-Quality Groundwater and Non-toxic environment, as well as the UN´s sustainability goals.