Topic 1B - Creekside Environmental Products: Ending Forever Chemicals: PFAS Adsorption and Decomposition

PFAS (forever chemicals) are generally banned from production due to their inherent toxicity but are still widely dispersed pollutants because of their stability. High PFAS levels are found in almost half of the tap water according to the USGS. Efficient sorption and destruction of PFAS is technically challenging and the aim of this proposed effort. The overarching goal of the proposed research is the development and implementation of low-cost adsorbents to reduce perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water, wastewater, and agricultural systems and to introduce a strategy to destroy PFAS. The Innovation Our aim is to utilize rice hulls, a huge agricultural waste product, and Douglas fir biochar (BC), produced as a byproduct of biofuel (syngas) production for adsorption followed by decomposition of the collected PFAS by solvated electron reductions, either on the biochar adsorbents or after efficient stripping into a solvent medium. Current Technologies Current methods utilizing thermal methods require high energy inputs and struggle to achieve complete decomposition. Performance In work going back to about 1995, we have demonstrated that solvated electron reductions will completely dehalogenate organic chlorocarbons, therefore, fluorocarbons are an extension of this proven method. Environmental Impact These reactions were recently reapplied to total give rapid defluorinations of PFAS model compounds. Thus, our research team is uniquely suited to both develop requisite adsorbents and decomposition methods for ‘forever’ chemicals that could be used to replace thermal decomposition methods. Commercial Potential Government agencies are now beginning to act. In late August of 2022, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed to designate two widely used PFAS as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), or Superfund. This rule would increase transparency around releases of these harmful chemicals and require polluters to clean up their contamination. Earlier in June 2022, the EPA released four drinking water health advisories for PFAS and announced an invitation to apply for $1 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law grant funding to address PFAS and other emerging contaminants in drinking water. The DOD estimates that its future PFAS investigation and cleanup costs will total more than $2.1 billion beginning in the fiscal year 2021, which is in addition to $1.1 billion in actual PFAS costs incurred through the fiscal year 2020. EPA’s data annual cost is estimated to exceed $700 million. PFAS are stable and toxic chemicals widely dispersed throughout the environment, contaminating wildlife and humans alike. Our aim is to develop green adsorbent materials and methods for the remediation and complete decomposition of these dangerous chemicals from contaminated waters.