PFAS Webinar Series – Unveiling the Science and Strategies

The Global Water Research Coalition (GWRC) has organised a  webinar series in collaboration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in 2024.

PFAS are widely used, long lasting chemicals, components of which break down very slowly over time. Because of their widespread use and persistence in the environment, many PFAS are detected in people and animals all over the world and in the environment. PFAS are found in water, air, fish, and soil at locations across the globe and are present at low levels in a variety of food products. Scientific studies have shown that exposure to some PFAS in the environment may be linked to harmful health effects in humans and animals. There are thousands of PFAS chemicals, and they are found in many different consumer, commercial, and industrial products. This makes it challenging to study and assess the potential human health and environmental risks.

During this new international webinar series, global experts have provided their insights into the science and innovative approaches of how to monitor, treat, and remediate PFAS compounds. Additionally, the webinars reviewed the international regulatory and policy landscape dealing with PFAS in the water industry ranging from different waters to biosolids and biochar.

This comprehensive series, delivered by renowned experts, was designed to educate and empower water professionals, policymakers, researchers, and anyone concerned about PFAS contamination. Additionally, it has uncovered the latest scientific insights, and explored practical solutions for a safer water future. The series has delved deep into the science and strategies surrounding PFAS, with each follow-on webinar tackling another crucial aspect. The four series webinars have covered:

• The origins and pathways of PFAS contamination in water sources.
• Management strategies to prevent PFAS from entering drinking water and wastewater.
• A global overview of PFAS regulations
• Disposal and destruction of PFAS in residuals, addressing challenges and knowledge gaps.
• Analytical methods for PFAS detection, confronting the limitations of detection limits versus toxicity assessments, and exploring new analytical advancements.
• Treatment technologies and processes for effectively removing PFAS from public water systems.

The four webinar recordings are available here:

Webinar 1: PFAS Sources and Occurrences

Webinar 2: PFAS Disposal and Destruction

Webinar 3: Treatment Technologies and Processes for Removing PFAS from Public Water Systems

Webinar 4: Analytical methods for PFAS in Drinking Water, Wastewater, and Environmental Samples LINK

Feature image source: US EPA – https://www.epa.gov/il/3m-cordova