PFAS Testing, Over 12,000 harmful compounds.
PFAS is currently the most significant talking point within the water industry and, with the topic being at the centre of many headlines in mainstream news, amongst the public too.…
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PFAS is a group of over 4,700 substances. This means that the contamination looks different in different places. Jacobi has both the knowledge and the equipment to take care of the various contaminants in the best possible way.
PFAS – an issue that concerns us all
The current PFAS crisis is generating an increasing amount of concern amongst governments, the public and those in the activated carbon industry. These difficult to remove chemicals have made their way into water supplies, posing a threat to public health and triggering the development of new legislation from regulatory bodies. As a business, sustainability and environmental issues are a top priority for Jacobi and we feel it is our responsibility to take action to tackle this emerging challenge.
THE CHALLENGE
What Are PFAS?
Named the ‘forever chemicals’, the term PFAS refers to per- and/or polyfuoroalkyl substances, a group of thousands of chemicals that are harmful to both humans and wildlife. Their chemical composition is extremely robust, and they are difficult to decompose. Though PFAS have been in use for decades, it is only recently that the extent of the problem has come to light, and, consequently, new regulations on PFAS levels are continuously coming into effect.
The Dangers of PFAS Contamination
Several peer-reviewed studies have shown that the effects on health can be serious. These studies have determined links to various types of cancers, liver malfunction, reduced immunity, reduced fertility, hormone interference, and developmental delays and behavioural changes in children.
How Does PFAS Contaminate Our Water?
PFAS are used in the manufacture of many everyday household items that we have close contact with on a regular basis. Non-stick cookware and waterproof clothing or footwear being the most common sources, but you’ll also find them in food packaging, cosmetics, and carpets and upholstery. Use of these items on such a large scale means the chemicals make their way into our water sources, the land, and even the air, resulting in them finally ending up in our bodies and creating a global crisis.
PFAS can spread long distances via air and water, the substances can be detected in areas where no production or use of PFAS has ever occurred. These substances have been found in places as far away as the Arctic and in polar bears that live there. PFAS is a global environmental problem.
Regulatory Developments
Across the globe authorities are implementing stringent regulations related to PFAS. One particularly notable update is the latest directive from the European Union.
The European Directive (EU) 2020/2184 on the quality of water intended for human consumption, transposed into local regulation in most European countries, has introduced PFAS into the drinking water standard for the first time, setting a limit value of 0.1µg/L for the sum of 20 PFAS. This strengthens the recent regulation from the European Food Safety Authority, establishing a tolerable weekly intake of 4.4 nanograms per kilogram of body weight for the sum of four PFAS: PFOS, PFOA, PFNA, and PFHxS.
This limit would mean that at the current PFAS levels in drinking water, a person of 70 kg should not drink more than three litres of water per week (meaning less than ½ litre per day), rather than the recommended 12 litres per week. To meet these food safety regulations, levels in drinking water will need to decrease.
According to a study by TZW, part of DVGW – German Technical and Scientific Association for Gas and Water, the sum concentration of 2.2 ng/L for four PFAS derived from the European Food Safety Authority study is exceeded in approximately 20% of all samples. To comply with this value in drinking water, around one in five waterworks in Germany would therefore have to operate treatment lines for PFAS removal if alternative water resources cannot be used.
Disposable food packaging is known to contain PFAS.
TREATMENT SOLUTIONS
There are two main commercially scalable filtration media types for the capture of PFAS, Jacobi offers both of these for several PFAS treatment scenarios. As every case can differ our team can assist with testing and recommend the most optimal performance media.
Activated Carbon
Ion Exchange Resins
Utilising our ranges across these products we currently serve two main markets with PFAS treatment solutions:
Drinking Water Treatment
We offer a proven solution for removal of PFAS from drinking water, working with municipal waterworks to deliver a solution for the testing, removal and operation of proven activated carbon or ion exchange resins filter media.
Industrial Water Treatment
Every PFAS contamination is different and with companies increasingly becoming responsible for not just the regulations around PFAS but the ethical consideration, we are here to help provide a removal solution.
Reactivation of Spent Carbon and Disposal of PFAS, A Forever Solution
The PFAS problem holds a unique challenge. Normally an application is successful when the pollutants are removed and captured in the activated carbon. In the case of PFAS, only half of the problem is solved. Transporting captured PFAS to a disposal site, even in a concentrated form, will simply move the problem. A forever chemical needs a forever solution.
We have been working since 2022 to develop that solution and we are pleased to say that we now have it. Once transported to our European facilities we are able to reactivate spent carbon with PFAS in our high temperature kilns. Thus, breaking down the PFAS molecules into basic fluoride compounds. This process is monitored meticulously to ensure adequate and responsible processing and we have been certified with the relevant governmental body. This is a forward step in the forever solution and it’s the most sustainable way to manage concentrated PFAS waste activated carbon.
Being able to reactivate and reuse carbon is proven to have a far smaller negative impact on the planet than producing more virgin carbon, making it the most sustainable option. Finally, it is also far more cost-effective for the user too.
How Jacobi Helps Solve The PFAS Issue
We are constantly seeing developments in this field, in regard to solutions for tackling PFAS or in terms of regulations on PFAS levels. Our approach here at Jacobi mirrors the dynamic nature of the field. Behind the scenes, our research and development teams are continually looking into new ways to manage the problem and how best to make improvements for our customers. When developing our proposed strategies, our teams are mindful of the continually emerging research and take into account studies from the relevant authorities and highly regarded bodies before confirming a solution.
There is no single fix for this issue and so we take a bespoke, case-by-case approach, offering a tailored solution based on the precise details and practicalities of your PFAS problem. We have access to the best modern technologies and extensive expertise within our technical teams, and, after initial analysis and consultation with you, will provide a comprehensive solution alongside full technical support.
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CONTACT
What to do next if you’re facing a PFAS challenge?
Contact the Jacobi entity in your area or email us at PFAS@jacobi.net, and our PFAS experts, who have solved many problems in various parts of the world, will get in touch. In our initial discussion we will try to get as much information on your PFAS problem as possible. Thoroughly understanding all elements of your challenge is essential, so a specialised questionnaire is produced to systematically gather the information we’ll need. Once we have all the necessary details, our team can assess the situation and make a recommendation on how best to move forward. Jacobi can support in recommending, testing, installing, and adapting the solution throughout the process.
Email us at PFAS@jacobi.net
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