German Scientists Test 2 PFAS Destruction Methods, With Plasma Nearly Eliminating Contaminants
Updated
Updated · ScienceDaily · Jul 20
German Scientists Test 2 PFAS Destruction Methods, With Plasma Nearly Eliminating Contaminants
2 articles · Updated · ScienceDaily · Jul 20
Summary
Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf researchers reported two water-treatment methods that break down PFAS, with cold plasma plus gas dispersion almost completely degrading both long- and short-chain compounds in lab tests.
Analyses confirmed fluoride release during treatment, showing the chemicals’ carbon-fluorine bonds were being broken rather than merely filtered out or moved elsewhere.
Hydrodynamic cavitation degraded about 37% of dissolved PFOS and steadily increased fluoride levels, while the plasma method released roughly 35% of bound fluorine and worked faster.
The faster plasma approach still uses far more energy per unit volume and creates transformation products—including possible gases—that researchers have not yet fully assessed for health risks.
The team is scaling the plasma system from about 50 milliliters to 5 liters and aims to combine it with cavitation to treat industrial wastewater before PFAS reaches rivers, lakes and oceans.
Does this new cure for 'forever chemicals' risk creating an even more dangerous poison in our water?
With strict new water rules just months away, can this breakthrough technology actually be deployed in time?
Now that we can destroy 'forever chemicals,' will industries finally stop making them in the first place?
From Lab to Industry: Germany’s High-Efficiency PFAS Destruction Technologies and the Global Push for Safer Environments
Overview
German research institutions are leading the way in developing new solutions to address the persistent problem of PFAS, also known as 'forever chemicals,' which have widespread environmental and health impacts. The urgent need for effective destruction technologies is driving these advancements. Recently, researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) announced two innovative methods: hydrodynamic cavitation and cold atmospheric plasma with gas dispersion. These approaches represent important progress in breaking down the tough chemical bonds of PFAS, offering hope for more effective management of these harmful substances.