PFAS / Pesticides / Emerging Contaminants
PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals that are extremely stable and persistent
in the food chain and environment. Known as “Forever Chemicals”
Developed to provide materials with water proofing qualities they have found use in the manufacture of a huge variety of household items from toothpaste, cosmetics, food packaging, non-stick cookware to waterproof clothing, upholstery fabric and carpets. Because they are so stable, the compounds have found their way into our waterways and soil and are now ubiquitous throughout our environment.
PFAS chemicals have been found in our bones and blood; present in placentas and breast milk across the globe. There are thousands of PFAS substances with differing chemical structures and our knowledge of the chemicals and their health effects is an emerging science. Current research has determined that some PFAS types have proven links with cancers, hormone disruption, decreased fertility and behavioural changes and developmental delays in children.
Removal of PFAS substances from our drinking water. Solutions to the removal of PFAS in a water supply demands a bespoke approach.
Activated Carbon and Ion Exchange resins provide a removal mechanism either individually or in combination depending on the type of PFAS present and the general condition of the raw water in the supply. For example, a surface water supply will present different treatment challenges to a ground water supply.
In general, selected activated carbon products are effective at removing long-chain PFAS, while ion exchange resin performs better for short-chain PFAS.
Jacobi Carbon can recommend the most suitable products and operating conditions to optimise PFAS removal for your drinking water supply. While complete PFAS removal is not achievable, most PFAS can be reduced to undetectable levels.
