WASHINGTON – Today, chemists at Northwestern University revealed a new method for destroying the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS. The new method is encouraging, since it does not require high temperatures or high energy that cause PFOA and GenX to break down into “benign end products.”
“These results show real promise,” said Tasha Stoiber, Ph.D., a senior scientist at the Environmental Working Group. “This destruction method could potentially be applied to degrade and remove PFAS, but it will take valuable time for any technology to move from the laboratory to real world application.
“This research also highlights just how complex and difficult persistence is for this class of chemicals. We have yet to find an effective method of disposal,” she added.
In 2020, EWG scientists concluded that burning, discarding and flushing PFAS waste all contribute to environmental contamination.
Communities with PFAS increasingly seek new treatment technologies, but every method so far has produced PFAS-laden waste. With current disposal options, the concentrated PFAS likely returns to the environment, to require removal once more. As the amount of PFAS in the environment grows, and with it the need to dispose of this waste, the ways it is handled at disposal sites have received more scrutiny.
In June, the Environmental Protection Agency proposed new lifetime health advisories for four PFAS compounds. These guidelines provide information on contaminants in drinking water that can harm people throughout their lives.
The four advisories are:
- 0.004 parts per trillion, or ppt, for PFOA
- 0.02 ppt for PFOS
- 10 ppt for GenX chemicals
- 2,000 ppt for PFBS
Previously, the EPA had set an advisory for PFOA and PFOS of 70 ppt. The agency still has not set an enforceable national drinking water standard for PFOA and PFOS.
“EPA’s dramatic new health risk assessment for PFAS serves as a stark reminder just how toxic they are to human health at very low levels,” said Olga Naidenko, Ph.D., vice president for science investigations at EWG.
“As new studies are published, scientists are finding that this family of chemicals is much more toxic than previously thought. More research is needed about new technologies for destroying PFAS, but we also must work to stop discharges of these substances into the environment.”
An EWG analysis found PFOA and PFOS had been detected above the EPA’s new lifetime health advisory levels in the drinking water of 2,013 communities serving more than 43 million people.
Last month, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine published a report recommending people with a history of elevated PFAS be offered medical tests. The report also advises clinicians to reduce their patients’ exposure to these chemicals.
The new NAS report and EPA assessment suggest that, based on studies of children and reduced vaccine response, everyone is likely exposed to PFAS at a level of potential concern, and significantly above a safe exposure value.
Very low doses of PFAS in drinking water have been linked to suppression of the immune system, including interference with vaccines. These chemicals harm the development and reproductive system, with effects such as reduced birth weight and impacts on fertility; increase the risk of certain cancers; affect the metabolism, such as changes in cholesterol and weight gain; and increase cholesterol and create other serious health concerns.
“The commonsense solution is to immediately phase out all unnecessary, or non-essential, uses of PFAS to stop any further releases into the environment,” said Melanie Benesh, EWG vice president for government affairs. “In other words, we need to turn off the tap of PFAS pollution if we want to protect our bodies and the environment.”
“The EPA has taken steps to address PFAS but must do more to restrict industrial releases of PFAS into the air and water. The agency must also move quickly to require tests for sludge that may be contaminated with PFAS, and immediately designate PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances under our federal cleanup laws,” she added.
PFAS are commonly used in thousands of manufacturing practices and in products, from carpets, clothing, cosmetics, cleaners and nonstick cookware to firefighting foams and protective gear.
Consumers who want to limit their PFAS exposure should avoid most products marketed as waterproof, grease-resistant or long-lasting. They also should look for a “PFAS free” label on products.
UPDATE: This news release was updated. The new method destroys PFOA and GenX, not PFOS.
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The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that empowers people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. Through research, advocacy and unique education tools, EWG drives consumer choice and civic action.
