What You Need to Know About PFAS Remediation in 2021
The problem of PFAS is rising, and it’s affecting our health and the environment significantly. These Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances are everywhere – starting from the household products we consume to the food and water we intake every day!
Do you know that there’s a high chance you may have PFAS at your workplace and even at your home? The typical household products have them, and all the electronics at your home or office contain these toxic substances too!
You will be surprised to know that even your drinking water may have PFAS since it is usually attached to a particular facility, such as a wastewater treatment plant, landfill, manufacturer, firefighter training facility, etc. If we don’t work towards a complete PFAS remediation, it would be too late to protect our Earth and its inhabitants.
There’s good news! The year 2021 has been a significant one in creating a new roadmap to remediate PFAS. On October 18, 2021, the USEPA announced a new roadmap to restrict and remediate PFAS from 2021-2024. This approach is taken to combat the harmful effects of PFAS contamination in water, air, and our food supplies.
The New EPA Approach
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a new approach to address the challenges caused by PFAS pollution. The agency has also realized that it’s difficult for the authority to solve the problems created in one or two exposure areas. The issue needs to be uprooted entirely for a cleaner and greener environment.
The EPA has also declared that various US commercial companies still use these hazardous chemicals. As a result, it’s difficult to cure the damage that’s already done! Besides, it’s complicated to thoroughly clean the exposed areas.
Instead, the agency can work towards preventing the chemicals from entering the water streams, air, and land, which can affect the communities’ health standards. For a comprehensive PFAS remediation, the EPA takes practical actions both upstream and downstream by following a rigorous scientific procedure. The agenda aims to –
- Define the characteristics of these chemical toxicities
- Understand the PFAS exposure pathways and extent
- Identify and create new ways to remediate PFAS pollution
- Protect the health of the public and save the environment.
Through this new approach, the EPA will attempt to hold the polluters responsible for the pollution they have created. The agency will also ensure that all communities, including the underprivileged and deprived, will equally enjoy the benefits from these solutions.
Joe Biden’s Contributions Towards Remiedating PFAS
During the 2020 presidential campaign, Joe Biden pledged to declare PFAS a hazardous and toxic substance. Together with Vice President Kamala Harris, Joe Biden has ensured that the EPA’s PFAS regulation is put to effect immediately under the SDWA (Safe Drinking Water Act).
Biden believes that the nation deserves to drink clean, uncontaminated water, breathe clean air, and eat safe and unadulterated food. He believes that the bare living essentials like food, air, and water should be free of any harmful pollutants and chemicals. These may result in severe health conditions and diseases, affecting families, children, and communities.
Final Words
The new robust PFAS roadmap by EPA will undoubtedly change the future as it promises to make the world a better place to live in. But, for the time being, you can avail water management solutions from reputed providers like Membrane Systems.