Removing Pfas from Water Using Zeolites: Cheaper and More Efficient

Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are environmentally persistent and bio-accumulative chemicals of industrial origin. PFAS have inherent chemical stability due to their carbon-fluorine bond. These compounds have been globally distributed through industrial manufacturing, consumer products, and other applications such as firefighting foams. With increasing concern about the link between PFAS and adverse health effects, effective removal strategies are under investigation. While perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) have been most prevalent in the environment, their use has been recently limited by regulations. Removal efforts are becoming more focused on short-chain PFAS compounds, as they are replacing the use of long-chain PFAS. Commercial sorbents, such as activated carbon, are less effective at adsorbing short-chain PFAS. Project DISCOVER is investigating new materials such as high-silica zeolites for the removal of both short and long-chain PFAS compounds. Passive samplers will selectively adsorb PFAS compounds from environmental matrices such as water and soil making quantification less expensive and more efficient. This presentation will present the latest results of our zeolite screening experiments with 24 PFAS analytes that have been tested along with passive sampler designs.