
Researchers at the Duke University Center for WaSH-AID have begun Phase I research on the removal of PFAS —per and polyfluoroalkyl substances—from drinking water. Funded by Oldcastle Infrastructure, a CRH Company, the Center’s team is exploring the use of novel sorbents to isolate and concentrate PFAS. The work is being done in collaboration with Associate Professor Justin Clar’s lab at Elon University.
According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), research conducted to date suggests that human exposure to PFAS is linked to a myriad of negative health impacts, including altered metabolism, fertility, and reduced ability of the immune system to fight infections. PFAS have been widely used since the 1940s in applications including waterproofing, firefighting foams, and non-stick coatings.
In April 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) passed the National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for six PFAS. The EPA set enforceable Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) at 4.0 parts per trillion each for PFOA and PFOS, 10 parts per trillion each for PFNA, PFHxS, and HFPO-DA (GenX Chemicals). The agency is also regulating combinations of PFAS.
Of the 66,000 public water drinking water systems in the United States subject to the new regulations and monitoring requirements, the EPA estimates between 4,100 and 6,700 may have to take action to address PFAS contamination. Public water systems have until 2027 to complete initial monitoring and until 2029 to implement solutions to reduce PFAS to within the MCLs.
“Watching the PFAS regulatory cycle highlights the importance of being prepared for the impacts of emerging contaminants,” says Julia Darcy, assistant research professor and PI of the project. “With PFAS regulations now in place, the industry needs flexible and cost-effective treatment options, and we are excited to be working with Oldcastle on this opportunity.”
The challenge with PFAS is that the very properties that have made it attractive for industrial and commercial applications complicate their removal from the environment; the chemicals are often diluted, resist degradation, and are not well treated by current domestic wastewater treatment practices.
Although R&D in PFAS treatment technologies has accelerated in recent years, gaps remain. Building upon previous research, the Center’s team is exploring novel sorbents that can selectively attract PFAS to enable more efficient removal. Identifying selective sorbents for PFAS removal would be a value-add to current PFAS treatment strategies, as current sorbents suffer from poor selectivity, leading to short lifetimes and increased replacement costs.
Darcy and the team hope that the Center’s research will contribute to an expansion of the technological solutions available for the critical task of removing PFAS from the nation’s drinking water.
Results from Phase I are anticipated toward the end of 2024.