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Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also commonly referred to as perfluorinated chemicals or PFCs, are a group of anthropogenic chemicals with past and current uses in industrial processes and consumer products. In 2006, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classified some PFAS as likely human carcinogens. 

PFAS are used in firefighting foams, coating for food packaging, ScotchGard™, and Teflon™, among other products. PFAS are highly resistant to chemical decomposition and can enter source waters through industrial releases, wastewater treatment plant discharges, stormwater runoff, release of firefighting foams, and land application of contaminated biosolids. 

Topic Overview (PDF)
3 Projects 2 Webcasts
Compounds of Emerging Concern (CECs)
Advanced Treatment
Endocrine Disrupting Compounds, Pharmaceuticals & Personal Care Products (EDCs & PPCPs)
Microplastics
Project #4322

Treatment Mitigation Strategies for Poly- and Perfluorinated Chemicals

$306,672
Completed

Project Highlights

The first objective of this project was to conduct a literature review covering the global occurrence and treatability of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs). The second objective was to conduct a limited, strategically targeted assessment to determine the fate of these compounds...
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Principal Investigator
Eric
Dickenson
Research Manager
Ms. Alice E Fulmer

Recent Updates

Project #4616

January 1, 2017 – July 31, 2017 - The research team continues working on the literature review to evaluate the current regulatory status for controlling discharges of Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) of chemical and microbial origin in hospitals’ wastewater, the wastewater treatment technologies currently employed at the healthcare facilities, and best available technologies for managing CECs in hospitals’ wastewater (Task 1).

Project Update
06/09/2019
Project #3177

In Phase I (Project 3177), quantitative real-time PCR assays were developed to detect Group F ads in water.

Project Update
06/26/2019

News

Seven RFPs Released for WRF Research

Press Release
09/27/2018
The Water Research Foundation (WRF) today announced that Requests for Proposals (RFPs) are available for six new research projects funded under the Solicited Research Program. In addition, one new RFP...
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Resources

View all Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Resources

Related Projects

Project #1645

Use of Ozone in Water Reclamation for Contaminant Oxidation

Completed
Increased public awareness, potential human health effects, and demonstrated impacts on aquatic ecosystems have stimulated recent interest in pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) and endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs)...
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Project #1693

Formation of Nitrosamines and Perfluorochemicals During Ozonation in Water Reuse Applications

Completed
The ability of ozone treatment to mitigate human and environmental impacts associated with pathogens and trace organic contaminants is making it a promising and trending treatment alternative in...
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Project #1706

Guidelines for Source Water Control Options and the Impact of Selected Strategies on Direct Potable Reuse

Completed
The research project consisted of three integrated components – a literature compendium, utility case studies, and a Guideline for Source Control and Source Water Treatment Facility Design and...
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Project #4874

Evaluating Fate Mechanisms for Contaminants of Concern in BNR Treatment Systems

In Progress
This study provides additional insight into the fate behavior of the target trace organic compounds (TOrC) in BNR treatment systems. The study determined first-order biotransformation rates for seven...
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Project #4867
Aquatic plants in a laboratory

Developing Exposure and Toxicity Data for Priority Trace Organics in Biosolids

In Progress
Trace organic compounds (TOrCs) in land-applied biosolids are of concern to the public, the water quality industry, and the regulatory community. The number of scientific studies examining the...
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Project #4763

Performance and Cost Review of Desalination Plants

In Progress
The successful operation of seawater reverse osmosis (RO) plants depends on the ability of the pretreatment system to consistently produce a high quality filtered water for the RO...
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Related Topics

Link

Compounds of Emerging Concern (CECs)

Link

Advanced Treatment

Link

Endocrine Disrupting Compounds, Pharmaceuticals & Personal Care Products (EDCs & PPCPs)

Link

Microplastics

Link

Source Water Protection

Link

Groundwater Management & Protection

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