Australia to trial technology to remove PFAS chemicals used in firefighting foams from environment

Source: Xinhua| 2020-11-06 14:03:11|Editor: huaxia

 

Australia's Department of Defence will trial a new technology that could remove firefighting chemicals from environments around the country.

 

PFAS stands for per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances and are manufactured chemicals used in products that resist heat, oil, stains and water, according to the Department of Defence.

 

The substances, which were found in firefighting foams used in defence bases around Australia, have leaked into environments where they have been difficult to remove or break down.

 

Recently, the department has entered into a contract with Photon Energy to trial nano-remediation technology to break down PFAS in those environments, according to the report of The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on Friday.

 

"This is an in-situ technology, which means it treats PFAS without removing water or soil from the environment," a spokesperson of the department said.

 

Petr Kvapil, director of Photon Water, said that the company's approach was globally unique.

 

"We have been successfully applying our in-situ nano-remediation technology to sites affected by various and complex pollutants worldwide," he said.

 

The technology will be trialed in Jervis Bay where PFAS contamination from foams used on the HMAS Creswell Navy base leads to fears and residents have been advised not to eat seafood caught in some local waterways.

 

Locals have also expressed concerns about drinking water but Defence said the amount of PFAS in the supply was within safe guidelines for drinking.

 

The department was due to publish an investigation report and management plan in March but said it was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.