Disrupting PFAS

Jeff interviews Cathy Rockwell, Sam Olney, and Matthew Jones, colleagues here at Woodard & Curran who led a study on the occurrence and concentration of PFAS in Massachusetts rainwater last fall. While prior studies have confirmed the presence of PFAS in rainwater, our team sought not only to record statewide concentrations, but also to investigate how they are influenced by different precipitation types.

Jeff interviews Erlend Sørmo of the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute and the Norwegian University of Life Sciences. His research on using activated biochar to stabilize PFAS-contaminated soil presents a sustainable opportunity for waste management and environmental remediation.

Jeff interviews Dr. Peter Jaffé, William L. Knapp '47 Professor of Civil Engineering at Princeton University, about Biodegradation of PFAS. Dr. Jaffé discusses the exciting potential of Acidimicrobium bacterium A6 for natural destruction of PFAS.

Jeff speaks with Yanna Liang, PhD., PE, BCEE, Chair of the Department of Environmental and Sustainable Engineering at the University at Albany, SUNY. Dr. Liang discusses her research on phytoremediation and destruction of PFAS — the use of plants to remove PFAS constituents from contaminated soils.

All four of our Season One guests come together with a live audience to discuss addressing this challenging environmental issue and answer questions from our subscribers. This special roundtable finale features lively discussion about complementary technologies, new insights, and enhancements to these promising innovations

Episode Four focuses on a material with promising potential in destroying, detecting, and sequestering PFAS. Jeff Speaks with Dr. Radha Kishan Motkuri of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory about PFAS Detection, Capture, and Destruction Using Nanoporous Materials. Dr. Motkuri and his colleagues have patented the groundbreaking Fast PFAS Sensor: a reusable, pocket-sized device that that can quickly and accurately detect PFAS, even at levels below the federal threshold.

Jeff interviews Dr. Sarah (Xiao) Wu of the University of Idaho about her award-winning research advancing plasma treatment technology for the destruction of PFAS.

Jeff speaks with Dr. Kurt Pennell of Brown University. Kurt and his team are testing subsurface application of materials commonly used for ex-situ treatment, including in-situ sequestration of PFAS using ion exchange resin.

Host Jeff Hale, PG, speaks with Dr. Suzanne Witt, PhD about her work developing technology to destroy PFAS using electrochemical oxidation.