EPA Expands Research Efforts to Test for, Remove and Destroy PFAS

EPA in mid-May said that it continues to take steps to address polyfluoroalkyl substances and protect public health. Specifically, the agency said it was expanding its research efforts and capabilities by launching its PFAS Innovative Treatment Team.

"Our researchers are at the forefront of addressing PFAS issues to protect our nation’s communities” EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler said in a May 14 statement. “Our world-class scientists are continuing their work under the PFAS Action Plan to understand and identify the potential health risks associated with these emerging chemicals of concern. This new approach will allow the agency to expand its efforts to develop innovative techniques to test for, remove and destroy PFAS.”

Over the next few months, the PITT will work to achieve the following ambitious goals:

• Assess current and emerging destruction methods being explored by EPA, universities, other research organizations, and industry. 
• Explore the efficacy of methods while considering by-products to avoid creating new environmental hazards.
• Evaluate methods’ feasibility, performance and costs to validate potential solutions.

EPA said the work would add practical knowledge to its efforts under the PFAS Action Plan. States, tribes and local governments can use this information to select the approach that best fits their circumstances, leading to greater confidence in cleanup operations and safer communities, EPA said. The results of this research project are expected later this year.