The Growing Pressure to Regulate PFAS
Topics: water treatment, DeLoach Industries, Inc., PFOS, pfoa regulations, forever chemicals, EPA, PFAS contamination, Perfluoroalkyl Substances, pfas removal, Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, volatile organic compounds, PFOA
In the quest for a pristine drinking water supply, the role of carbon filters, particularly in removing Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), has become paramount. This post explores the effectiveness of carbon absorption filters in purifying drinking water from these tenacious contaminants, highlighting their indispensable role in ensuring water safety and safeguarding public health.
Topics: water treatment, DeLoach Industries, Inc., Carbon Filter, PFOS, pfoa regulations, forever chemicals, Perfluoroalkyl Substances, pfas removal, Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, volatile organic compounds, PFOA
Water is essential for life, but not all water is safe to drink.
Contaminants like perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), collectively known as PFAS, have been a growing concern in our water supply. Fortunately, there's a remarkable solution that often goes unnoticed: carbon absorption filters. Here, we'll explore the technology behind carbon absorption filters, how they effectively trap PFAS and their numerous benefits in water treatment.
Understanding Carbon Absorption Technology
Before delving into how carbon filters combat PFAS, let’s review the fundamentals of carbon absorption technology. Activated carbon, the hero in this story, is an incredibly porous material with a vast surface area, typically derived from sources like coconut shells, wood, or coal. This porous structure is what makes activated carbon ideal for trapping contaminants.
1. Activated Carbon's Structure: Think of activated carbon like a sponge, but not just any ordinary sponge – it's a super sponge! At a microscopic level, it's filled with tiny pores and holes, creating a vast and intricate network. Imagine walking through a maze with endless twists and turns – that's what the structure of activated carbon looks like. And why does this matter? Because all those nooks and crannies provide a massive surface area. It's like having a big, open field instead of a cramped room. This extra space is perfect for grabbing onto molecules, kind of like how Velcro sticks to fabric. This process is called adsorption, where molecules stick to the surface of the carbon rather than getting soaked up inside like a regular sponge.
2. Adsorption vs. Absorption: Let's clear up some confusion between two similar-sounding words. Absorption is like when a sponge soaks up water – it goes inside the sponge. But adsorption is different; it's all about what happens on the surface. Imagine you're playing with magnets. When they attract and stick together, that's like adsorption. Activated carbon is a magnet for contaminants. It doesn't suck them in like a vacuum; instead, it attracts them and sticks them onto its surface, where they stay put. So, while absorption is about taking things in, adsorption is about grabbing onto things on the outside.
3. Adsorbent Specificity: One of the remarkable features of activated carbon is its remarkable versatility and ability to adsorb a wide range of contaminants, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are harmful chemicals emitted from products like paints and cleaning supplies, chlorine, commonly found in water disinfection processes, and, most importantly, PFAS, notorious for their widespread presence in water sources and resistance to degradation, making activated carbon an indispensable tool in combating environmental pollution.
Topics: water quality, water treatment, advanced treatment solutions, Safe drinking water, municipal water systems, DeLoach Industries, Inc., Drinking Water, DeLoach Industries, carbon filters, removing PFAS & PFOS, pfas exposure, health effects of pfas, exposure to pfas, water treatment standards, PFOS, drinking water standards, forever chemicals, water purification systems, carbon absorption
In recent years, PFOA and PFOS, commonly known as "forever chemicals," have raised concerns among municipalities, food and beverage industries, and commercial facilities in the USA and around the globe. These synthetic chemicals, which never break down and pose significant health risks, have been detected in water, food supplies, and even bottled purified water. As new EPA regulations take effect in 2024, industries are searching for effective and cost-efficient methods to remove these hazardous substances from their water supply. Fortunately, advanced water purification technologies such as microfiltration, ultrafiltration, and reverse osmosis can address these challenges.
Topics: water quality, advanced treatment solutions, Safe drinking water, RO system, municipal water systems, DeLoach Industries, Inc., Drinking Water, DeLoach Industries, reverse osmosis, water process system, removing PFAS & PFOS, pfas exposure, health effects of pfas, exposure to pfas, water treatment standards, PFOS, safe drinking water act, the environmental protection agency, drinking water standards, forever chemicals, water purification systems, microfiltration and ultrafiltration, potable water, membrane technology, types of membranes, flat sheet, spirally wound
PFOA and PFOS are man-made chemicals used in various products to simplify life.
Forever chemicals, also known as synthetic chemicals called PFAS, have gained recognition. Scientists created these chemicals to make products resistant to water, stains, and sticking. The United States initially utilized them in the 1950s.
DuPont introduced Teflon in the 1950s to help Americans have nonstick cookware and make their lives easier. Americans and people from other countries liked this new improvement and soon used these substances in many different products.
These chemicals are resistant to water and lipids, so they don't break down and last a long time in the environment.
Over time, companies have used these chemicals in manufacturing various products, such as firefighting foam, food packaging, and cosmetics. As a result, these chemicals have entered the air, water, soil, and food production. They discontinued the use of PFAS and their other compounds in the mid-1970s.
People believe that contamination has affected more than 7000 metric tons of Fluorochemicals. PFOAs and PFOS, which can cause various health problems, have exposed many Americans and people in the USA.
PFOA chemicals contaminated 1% of public drinking water supply systems in 2016. The EPA did not regulate safe levels of PFOA and PFOS in drinking water systems for many years.
Topics: water quality, advanced treatment solutions, pH levels, Safe drinking water, RO system, particulate matter, Filter Media, municipal water systems, DeLoach Industries, Inc., Drinking Water, Clean Water, PFA's, DeLoach Industries, nylon, Cosmetics, reverse osmosis, water process system, removing PFAS & PFOS, pfas exposure, health effects of pfas, exposure to pfas, nonstick cookware, food packaging, water treatment standards, PFOS, safe drinking water act, pfoa regulations, the environmental protection agency, drinking water standards, water resistant clothing, environmental safety, forever chemicals
