What is on the news?
We are increasingly seeing media reports regarding the presence of PFAS in water. Recently, news emerged that the levels of PFAS and TFA in Flanders are among the highest in Europe. Pesticides containing PFAS are a probable cause of such contamination.
What are PFAS and TFA?
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemical compounds composed of molecules of carbon, fluorine, and hydrogen. Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) is a short-chain PFAS compound that forms as a result of the breakdown of fluorinated substances such as pesticides and refrigerants. These substances are highly resistant to chemical, biological, and thermal degradation, which is why they are often referred to as "forever chemicals".
How to reduce amount of PFAS and TFA in water?
Here are some water purification technologies in place:
- Reverse osmosis (RO)
Reverse osmosis membranes are one of the most effective technologies for removing PFAS, including TFA. - Ion exchange resins
Ion exchange resins, particularly anion exchange resins, effectively adsorb PFAS from water. - Activated carbon
Activated carbon is widely used for the adsorption of PFAS due to its porous structure.
Where and how these technologies are used?
Reverse osmosis technology can be used to reduce concentration of both PFAS and TFA by up to 99%. This is an expensive technology for the communities. But it is available and affordable for residential applications. Domestic reverse osmosis filters, like PURE Balance RO, are widely installed on a kitchen at apartments or houses. They can effectively reduce concentration of PFAS and TFA.
References
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). PFAS Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances. EPA PFAS Webpage. https://www.epa.gov/pfas
- PAN Europe. High concentrations of TFA in drinking water: Call for ban on PFAS-containing pesticides. Read more
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). PFAS Thermal Treatment Database (PFAS-TT). Read more
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). PFAS Roadmap. Read more
- PAN Europe. Report: TFA The Forever Chemical in the Water We Drink. Read more
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Multi-Industry PFAS Study: Preliminary 2021 Report. Read more
