The 1950s was a turning point for the industry. They got the benefits of ‘forever chemicals’ invented during this time. The PFAS, or ‘forever chemicals’, gave a great push to consumerism. The industry used these chemicals to coat cooking ware to make them stain-resistant and waterproof. But these chemicals have now become a problem and only remediation services can solve it.
Brief overview of PFAS
They were initially used to make cooking utensils and non-stick pans. However, the utility of PFAS was soon realised in defence bases. The US Naval Research Lab put PFAS in the Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) to douse fires quickly. Its utility in training exercises made them quite popular.
What are PFAS chemicals?
PFAS is an overarching group of chemicals. Thousands of chemicals are a part of this group.
a. These are long-chain organic compounds useful for their inherent properties.
b. PFAS chemicals are highly resistant to heat, water, and oil.
c. They are used a lot in consumer products and have diverse industrial applications.
Three PFAS chemicals in particular are used more commonly than others. These are:
1. PFOS (Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid)
2. PFOA (PerfluoroOctanoic acid)
3. PFHxS (Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid)
PFAS impacted solid waste streams
- Soils
- Biosolids
- Sludges
- Industrial waste
- Concrete
- Asphalt
- Spent filter media
Are PFAS dangerous?
PFAS chemicals have now become a major headache for governments as these chemicals stay in the biosphere for a long time and produce undesirable effects. They have been shown to affect communities who live near these base camps. That’s why remediation services have now become a major part of their control strategy.
They move fast through the sediments and mix with the groundwater quickly. The groundwater aquifers near PFAS sites take up these chemicals. They enter the food chain through this route. The bioaccumulation of these chemicals is huge
Here’s how dangerous these chemicals are to the environment and human health:
1. Bioaccumulation:
PFAS has a high affinity for soil and water. When these are dumped on land through the sludge disposal system, these chemicals get integrated into soil and water. They find their way into the crops and drinking water this way. They get heavily accumulated in the tissues of humans and animals and create all sorts of problems.
2. Cancer:
Recent studies have shown that the presence of PFAS in human tissues leads to certain cancers. People living near military bases are the most vulnerable to PFAS-induced cancers. They can cause cancers of the kidney, breasts, prostate, testicles, and ovary. Their non-biodegradable nature makes them even more carcinogenic.
3. Fertility problems:
There have been multiple cases of fertility issues in couples exposed to high levels of PFAS. They can accumulate in ovarian tissues and testicles and affect hormone secretion. This often leads to couples facing difficulty conceiving and even the foetus is sometimes affected by PFAS. The chances of miscarriage and adoption due to possible deformity in the child are quite high.
Range and effect of PFAS chemicals in Australia
As far as Australia is concerned, PFAS use started in the 1970s. But the issue has gained quite a lot of attention now. In December 2023, the DCCEEW (Department of Climate Change, The Environment, Energy, and Water) moved a proposal to list the three PFAS chemicals mentioned above in Schedule 7 of the IChEMS Register. This Schedule contains the list of banned chemicals. This means you can’t import, export, manufacture, or use these chemicals in Australia. The proposal sought the implementation from 1st July 2025.
This comes at a time when projects like the West Gate Tunnel Project got delayed due to a class action lawsuit. Such legal actions are becoming common as more and more landholders are suing for PFAS damages.
The dumping of PFAS-infused foam near defence bases has become a major problem and remediation services are called in to get rid of PFAS. The following areas in Australia are particularly affected by PFAS chemicals:
- Williamtown in New South Wales
- Oakey in Queensland
- Katherine in the Northern Territory
Methods to treat solid PFAS waste
Since PFAS chemicals fall under the Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP) of the Stockholm Convention, it is important to find alternatives. But, the chemicals already present in the soil and water need to be removed first. These long-chain chemicals are incredibly hard to degrade and only capable remediation services can handle them.
The following methods are generally employed by these services:
- Chemical immobilisation
- Thermal desorption
- Soil washing
- Sludge dewatering
- Design and construct of contaminant cells and repositories
Key Takeaway
Persistent chemicals like PFAS need to be dealt with strongly. They are harmful chemicals which need to be replaced with better alternatives soon. It is crucial to clear industrial and residential sites of these harmful chemicals. Industries need to be proactive in this regard and get good remediation services on board.
