Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals used in various products, including non-stick cookware, firefighting foams, and textiles. They are known as "forever chemicals" because they do not break down easily in the environment.
Presence in Drinking Water
PFAS has been detected in drinking water in many parts of the world, including the United States. A study by the U.S. Geological Survey found that PFAS were present in 45% of public water systems tested.
Recently, IWS needed water to continue testing to isolate and destroy PFAS and its derivatives from drinking water. We drove into a city suspected of having high levels of PFAS in its drinking water and gathered a few hundred gallons from the municipal water supply at a hydrant. IWS tested the water and found it contaminated with PFAS. The water appeared completely clear, and no one would have suspected it had anything unpure in it.
Exposure to PFAS has been linked to several health problems, including:
Increased risk of certain types of cancer, Liver damage, Kidney damage, Developmental issues in children, and Hormonal changes. Almost everyone in the U.S. has traces of PFAS in their body
Regulation and Mitigation
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set enforceable Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water on April 10, 2024. The new standards are intended to reduce exposure to these chemicals and prevent serious health problems.
MCLs:
· PFOA and PFOS: 4 parts per trillion (ppt)
· PFNA, PFHxS, and HFPO-DA (GenX): 10 ppt
· Mixtures of PFNA, PFHxS, GenX, and PFBS: A hazard index of 1
Other requirements: Water systems must monitor PFAS quarterly within 12 months. Local governments and water utilities must inform the public of PFAS levels in their drinking water starting in 2027
Water Treatment Solutions
Welcome to Ion Water Sciences
It's alarming how THIS much PFAS lurks in crystal-clear drinking water. This is the same sample. The beaker on the right shows the concentration, destruction, and mineralization of PFAS using the new hybrid tech developed by Ion Water Sciences. The beaker on the left shows the raw sample before treatment. Crystal clear water with zero taste or odor and "appears" consumable to the naked eye. This sample came from a fire training base in Maine, where firefighters have consumed this water for decades without knowing the consequences. This PFAS destruction and mineralization breakthrough from Ion Water Sciences will soon be commercially available for point-of-use and centralized water treatment.
The PFAS destruction process, a low-power multi-catalyst advanced electro-oxidative process, utilizes readily available sustainable materials. This process is further amplified by proprietary technology, which may be disclosed later. A proprietary non-ozonated foam fractionation process that removes the PFAS before destruction enhances its efficiency. This complete PFAS destruction process is mobile, modular, and highly scalable, making it a promising solution for integration into current water treatment facilities.