Transitioning Away from PFAS is a Profound Opportunity for Chemical Engineers

Pradeep Shukla, guest editor of a special series on PFAS, brings together a team of experts to explore how scientists and engineers are tackling this ongoing global challenge

PICTURE this: you’re braving a rain shower, your trusty waterproof jacket keeping you dry. Great, right? But what if the chemical used in the manufacturing of that jacket, and countless other everyday items, are silently contributing to a global environmental crisis? That's the unsettling reality of PFAS, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

The global spread of PFAS is undeniable. They’ve been detected in a wide range of environments including remote ecosystems, as far-reaching as Arctic ice cores. This widespread distribution is a direct consequence of their extensive use in numerous industrial and consumer products, coupled with their exceptional persistence. As chemical engineers, we understand the allure of these “cursed chemicals”. Their unique chemical and physical properties – such as water and oil resistance, thermal stability, and high surface activity have allowed the development of products that have revolutionised the chemical industry. Nonetheless, the global footprint of PFAS paints a stark picture of the environmental challenges we’ve created for ourselves, now forcing the industry to explore alternatives.

The transition away from PFAS is not merely a compliance hurdle; rather it’s an opportunity for chemical engineers to redefine industrial practice. Researchers are making headway, with as many as 530 PFAS-free alternatives already identified. Whether they are economically viable and the production process easy to scale up is a challenge before us. 

Healing the planet

Beyond phasing out PFAS, we must also address the legacy of contamination. Our planet has a remarkable ability to heal itself when appropriate steps are taken, as evidenced from the gradual regeneration of the ozone layer thanks to proactive measures to eliminate CFCs and develop viable alternatives. Similarly, a well-planned phase-out of PFAS, coupled with targeted remediation efforts to halt its further spread, offers a pathway to mitigate the existing environmental burden.

However, developing a suitable technology for the selective removal and treatment of PFAS to stringent regulatory limits is a hurdle that has yet to be fully overcome. Several new PFAS destruction technologies have been discovered and some of them are on the path to commercialisation. My team, for instance, is focused on the development and scaleup of a new steam plasma technology to destroy PFAS into harmless end products. The remedial efforts, nonetheless, must ensure that they do not cause unintended harm to the environment. We must balance resource expenditure with achieving meaningful benefits. The real test lies in implementing strategies that are technically feasible while ensuring cost-effectiveness, environmental protection, and minimal community impact.

Therefore, I’m incredibly grateful to the experts who collaborated with me on this series, illuminating the challenges and opportunities surrounding PFAS. Kicking off with a look at why “forever” should be ditched for “lingering” when discussing PFAS contaminants, the series provides a glimpse into innovations in PFAS destruction, removing PFAS from the environment, regulatory frameworks, developments in monitoring, and the ongoing challenges in remediation methods. In the penultimate article, Ian Cousins from Stockholm University explores a future where environmentally safer alternatives are the norm and transitioning away from PFAS brings new and transformative opportunities for industries to lead in environmental responsibility.

I thank the contributors for their invaluable expertise. The path forward requires collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to sustainable solutions. As chemical engineers, we are uniquely positioned to lead this transformation, ensuring a healthier and more sustainable future for all.

You can read all the articles in this series at www.thechemicalengineer.com/tags/tackling-pfas/