Conquering forever chemicals:
Simultaneous elimination of Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and their precursors from contaminated soil

Our project aims to revolutionize the approach to addressing PFAS remediation in soil by raising awareness of precursor management while developing innovative techniques.

Per- and polyfluoro-alkyl substances (PFAS) are extremely stable synthetic chemicals that have been employed for decades in various industries. The application of PFAS-containing firefighting foams is a significant source of PFAS deposits in soil. Removing PFAS from soil is crucial to prevent their diffusion into groundwater and surface water. PFAS-contaminated soil often contains other chemicals known as precursors, which can be transformed into PFAS, eventually causing similar adverse effects. Unfortunately, the precursors are overlooked while developing technologies for PFAS remediation.

The current project aims to develop an innovative method for removing and degrading different types of PFAS from soil, with a focus on the often-overlooked PFAS precursors. To achieve this, various methods, namely aerated soil washing, electrochemical oxidation, and plasma technologies will be advanced and integrated into a treatment system that simultaneously removes, concentrates, and destroys PFAS and their precursors from soil

The project is funded by the FORMAS, for Early-career Researchers, career age 0–3 years