Research and Regulatory Advancements on Remediation and Degradation of Fluorinated Polymer Compounds
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of chemicals used in various commercial industries to include food packaging, non-stick repellent, and waterproof products. International environmental protection agencies are currently looking for ways to detect and safely remediate both solid...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2020-10-01
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| Series: | Applied Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/10/19/6921 |
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| author | Nathaniel J. Olsavsky Victoria M. Kearns Connor P. Beckman Pamela L. Sheehan F. John Burpo H. Daniel Bahaghighat Enoch A. Nagelli |
| author_facet | Nathaniel J. Olsavsky Victoria M. Kearns Connor P. Beckman Pamela L. Sheehan F. John Burpo H. Daniel Bahaghighat Enoch A. Nagelli |
| author_sort | Nathaniel J. Olsavsky |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of chemicals used in various commercial industries to include food packaging, non-stick repellent, and waterproof products. International environmental protection agencies are currently looking for ways to detect and safely remediate both solid and aqueous PFAS waste due to their harmful effects. Incineration is a technique that disposes of chemicals by breaking down the chemicals at high temperatures, upwards of 1400 °C. Incineration has been used on other related compounds, but PFAS presents a challenge during thermal degradation due to the molecular stability and reactivity of fluorine. Research on the efficacy of this method is currently limited, as the degradation byproducts of PFAS are not fully characterized. Current research is mostly focused on the development of benchtop methods for the safe remediation of solid PFAS waste. Aqueous fire fighting foams (AFFFs) have garnered significant attention due to extensive use since development in the 1960s. Numerous communities that are closely located near airports have been shown to have higher than average PFAS contamination from the repeated use. Detection and remediation of surface, subsurface, and wastewater have become a primary concern for environmental agencies. Use of electrochemical techniques to remove the PFAS contaminants has shown recent promise to help address this issue. Critical to the remediation efforts is development of standardized detection techniques and the implementation of local and international regulations to control the production and use of fluorinated products. No single solution has yet been developed, but much progress has been made in recent years in governmental regulation, detection, and remediation techniques. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T15:53:17Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ccaed5c871094bf89e2e4923c2fe4bc8 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T15:53:17Z |
| publishDate | 2020-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-ccaed5c871094bf89e2e4923c2fe4bc82023-11-20T15:55:51ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172020-10-011019692110.3390/app10196921Research and Regulatory Advancements on Remediation and Degradation of Fluorinated Polymer CompoundsNathaniel J. Olsavsky0Victoria M. Kearns1Connor P. Beckman2Pamela L. Sheehan3F. John Burpo4H. Daniel Bahaghighat5Enoch A. Nagelli6Department of Chemistry & Life Science, United States Military Academy, West Point, NY 10996, USADepartment of Chemistry & Life Science, United States Military Academy, West Point, NY 10996, USADepartment of Chemistry & Life Science, United States Military Academy, West Point, NY 10996, USAU.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Demilitarization & Experimental Directorate, Army Futures Command, CCDC-AC, Picatinny Arsenal, NJ 07806, USADepartment of Chemistry & Life Science, United States Military Academy, West Point, NY 10996, USADepartment of Chemistry & Life Science, United States Military Academy, West Point, NY 10996, USADepartment of Chemistry & Life Science, United States Military Academy, West Point, NY 10996, USAPer- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of chemicals used in various commercial industries to include food packaging, non-stick repellent, and waterproof products. International environmental protection agencies are currently looking for ways to detect and safely remediate both solid and aqueous PFAS waste due to their harmful effects. Incineration is a technique that disposes of chemicals by breaking down the chemicals at high temperatures, upwards of 1400 °C. Incineration has been used on other related compounds, but PFAS presents a challenge during thermal degradation due to the molecular stability and reactivity of fluorine. Research on the efficacy of this method is currently limited, as the degradation byproducts of PFAS are not fully characterized. Current research is mostly focused on the development of benchtop methods for the safe remediation of solid PFAS waste. Aqueous fire fighting foams (AFFFs) have garnered significant attention due to extensive use since development in the 1960s. Numerous communities that are closely located near airports have been shown to have higher than average PFAS contamination from the repeated use. Detection and remediation of surface, subsurface, and wastewater have become a primary concern for environmental agencies. Use of electrochemical techniques to remove the PFAS contaminants has shown recent promise to help address this issue. Critical to the remediation efforts is development of standardized detection techniques and the implementation of local and international regulations to control the production and use of fluorinated products. No single solution has yet been developed, but much progress has been made in recent years in governmental regulation, detection, and remediation techniques.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/10/19/6921per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)fluoropolymersthermal degradation analysisincinerationcombustionelectrochemical remediation |
| spellingShingle | Nathaniel J. Olsavsky Victoria M. Kearns Connor P. Beckman Pamela L. Sheehan F. John Burpo H. Daniel Bahaghighat Enoch A. Nagelli Research and Regulatory Advancements on Remediation and Degradation of Fluorinated Polymer Compounds Applied Sciences per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) fluoropolymers thermal degradation analysis incineration combustion electrochemical remediation |
| title | Research and Regulatory Advancements on Remediation and Degradation of Fluorinated Polymer Compounds |
| title_full | Research and Regulatory Advancements on Remediation and Degradation of Fluorinated Polymer Compounds |
| title_fullStr | Research and Regulatory Advancements on Remediation and Degradation of Fluorinated Polymer Compounds |
| title_full_unstemmed | Research and Regulatory Advancements on Remediation and Degradation of Fluorinated Polymer Compounds |
| title_short | Research and Regulatory Advancements on Remediation and Degradation of Fluorinated Polymer Compounds |
| title_sort | research and regulatory advancements on remediation and degradation of fluorinated polymer compounds |
| topic | per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) fluoropolymers thermal degradation analysis incineration combustion electrochemical remediation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/10/19/6921 |
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