Destruction of „permanent chemicals” is complex and costly, but a Swiss company has a cheap solution.
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known as „permanent chemicals,” have been produced for several decades and pose a threat to the environment and health. Microplastics have been detected even in clouds, but also in the human body, so we need a solution to get rid of these pollutants.
So far, the destruction of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has faced many obstacles. In the UK, it would cost 21 billion pounds (25 billion euros) to remove all "permanent chemicals" only from sewers, according to UK Water Industry Research (UKWIR).
A large part of bottled water is contaminated with PFAS, and the destruction of these substances is a costly process.
However, the Swiss company Oxyle has discovered an inexpensive way to clean water contaminated with PFAS. The technology is based on the doctoral thesis of Oxyle's co-founder, Fajer Mushtaq. She has developed nanoparticles that can oxidize and destroy PFAS, as reported by Euronews.
Why We Can't Easily Get Rid of PFAS
PFAS are resistant to heat and water, making them attractive for many consumer products (such as non-stick pans, waterproof clothing, and stain-resistant fabrics), but this also means they are difficult to destroy.
Every time we wash clothes containing PFAS, these substances end up in the water. PFAS are also present in some pesticides and in the foam used by firefighters to extinguish fires.
The health effects of PFAS are still under research, but studies have identified a link to certain types of cancer (including kidney and prostate cancer), reduced immunity, hormonal changes, and high blood pressure.
It takes over 1,000 years for some types of PFAS to break down, and these substances accumulate in nature.
They're called ‘forever chemicals’ for a reason,” says Karyn Georges, who co-authored a UKWIR paper on PFAS solutions. “They're not easily biodegradable. They're not easy to remove. That's why they were used in the first place".
As if it wasn't already difficult enough, there are several types of PFAS. "There are over 10,000 PFAS. They encompass a wide range of physicochemical properties and therefore different ways for their potential elimination," explains Georges.
Methods for destroying PFAS are divided into three main categories:
- absorption;
- separation;
- destruction.
Absorption and separation are effective in removing PFAS from wastewater, but neither completely eliminates the chemicals. Absorption typically uses granular activated carbon (GAC) to extract PFAS from wastewater. The remaining carbon is then contaminated and needs to be disposed of - but sending it to the landfill risks additional pollution, as PFAS infiltrates the soil and groundwater.
"You have to destroy it, otherwise you're just moving it to a different environment, whether it's sludge or even the air," says Georges.
In 2021, UKWIR designated incineration as the only permanent destruction method for PFAS. This process requires burning at 1,000 degrees Celsius, with a huge energy consumption. Some studies also question the complete destruction through incineration. Moreover, this method can release greenhouse gases, such as tetrafluoromethane and hexafluoroethane.
What Better Solution Exists
Oxyle eliminates PFAS by breaking the bonds between molecules, breaking down the chemical chains into components that can be safely removed. "At the end of the treatment, all that remains are carbon dioxide, water molecules, some fluorides, sulfates, and minerals," says Mushtaq.
The chemical process itself is not new and is used by several companies. What sets Oxyle apart is how it generates the energy to achieve this PFAS decomposition reaction.
Previous solutions involved applying electrical energy through electrodes or treating wastewater with UV light (costly and energy-consuming processes). Oxyle, on the other hand, uses mechanical energy, such as vibrations produced by bubbles or water flow.
It then introduces a nanoporous material created by Mushtaq into the water, creating a catalyst. "It activates and begins to separate the water, forming different chemical species capable of breaking the bonds of these PFAS molecules," she explains.
The use of bubbles reduces energy consumption by at least 15% - in some cases even 60%. "Energy is the biggest cost factor for destruction technology," says Mushtaq. Oxyle's solution can thus offer lower operational expenses than its competitors.
Oxyle completed a pilot project with the Swiss chemical company CIMO last year, treating groundwater contaminated with PFAS. Mushtaq says Oxyle removed 99% of the pollutant compounds every day for six months.
The Swiss company's solution can be adapted for larger clients, such as water treatment companies. "Our technology is quite modular. Each reactor can treat about 10 cubic meters per hour, which is 10,000 liters per hour," she explains.
However, removing PFAS from wastewater remains a costly business, largely borne by people's water bills, according to Georges.
Unfortunately, there is no instant solution for PFAS. "Permanent chemicals" were banned by the Stockholm Convention in 2009, but they still appear in the environment due to their persistence. The EU has proposed a general ban on 10,000 PFAS starting in 2026.
T.D.