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PFAS: How Environmental Engineering Is Adapting to Combat Forever Chemicals
28 Nov, 20245 Minutes
Over the last few years, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have emerged as a major environmental concern, leading to increased public awareness and new regulations. They are known as ‘forever chemicals’ because of their persistence in the environment and resistance to degradation. They can be found in everyday products like non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, firefighting foam, and even certain food packaging.
According to a study by the U.S. Geological Survey, at least 45% of tap water is estimated to contain at least one PFAS chemical.
While the chemical stability of PFAS chemicals makes them useful in manufacturing, it also creates difficulty for environmental engineers as they work to remediate PFAS-affected areas. As the need for effective PFAS solutions grows, the environmental engineering industry is on the brink of a major transformation.
Innovative Technologies Transforming PFAS Remediation
Finding ways to effectively remove PFAS from soil, water, and air has led to technological innovation. Traditional approaches, such as activated carbon adsorption and ion exchange, are quite expensive and inefficient, which increases the need for innovation. Because of this, there are much more modern solutions in development, including:
Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) – These use highly reactive species created through processes such as UV light, ozone, or hydrogen peroxide to breakdown PFAS in water, breaking down the compounds' strong carbon-fluorine bonds.
Electrochemical treatments – These use an electric current to create reactive species or directly break down PFAS molecules at the electrodes, enabling PFAS to be destroyed without chemicals.
PFAS-targeting enzymes – Researchers are looking at enzymes that can selectively target and degrade PFAS chemicals, although enzyme-based therapies are still in the early stages of development.
The Economic Potential of the PFAS Solutions Market
The demand for PFAS remediation is expected to rise significantly, which will increase opportunities for environmental firms that specialize in PFAS solutions, particularly in water treatment, waste management, and contaminated site cleanup. This demand is mainly driven by new regulations that have imposed strict PFAS limits on drinking water and industrial waste. Industries and governments are expected to prioritize companies with proven expertise in PFAS remediation.
Because of this, the PFAS remediation market is set to prosper in the coming years, which should create a promising financial opportunity for businesses that invest in PFAS remediation technology and establish specialized teams. Industry leaders that get on board with these advancements should capture a larger share of the market, while companies that do not adapt risk being left behind. This shift in market dynamics may also lead to mergers and acquisitions as larger companies look to acquire specialized PFAS knowledge to expand their service portfolios.
Funding and Investment Opportunities for PFAS Solutions
Due to the increasing awareness of PFAS contamination, there has been an increase in funding to tackle the issue in recent years. For example, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has used programs like the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) to provide grants and tackle PFAS in drinking water.
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act also allocated over $10 billion to addressing contaminants, including PFAS across public water systems. This funding supports testing and remediation efforts, helping water utilities tackle contamination and comply with the new, stricter PFAS regulations.
Challenges Facing PFAS Remediation and Environmental Engineering
Despite the major growth opportunities in the PFAS landscape, there are challenges that companies in the industry face. One of the main challenges is that the persistence of PFAS chemicals has allowed them to accumulate in the environment over many years, contaminating nearly 98% of Americans’ bloodstreams, according to a CDC study.
The more traditional methods of PFAS remediation fail to destroy the contaminants, while the more advanced methods are expensive and use a lot of energy, which makes scalability a challenge. According to the American Water Works Association (AWWA) and National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), water utilities would need over $50 billion for essential upgrades to meet new PFAS standards over the next 20 years.
The regulations surrounding PFAS also present a significant challenge. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently proposed strict drinking water limits for several PFAS compounds, with some as low as 4 parts per trillion. This makes it important for industries to upgrade to advanced treatment technologies.
Recruitment Challenges in the PFAS Sector
The changes in PFAS regulations and the evolution of technologies are creating a demand for specialist talent across environmental engineering and remediation fields. Companies need skilled professionals in roles such as:
Chemical Engineers
Environmental Engineers
Environmental Scientists
Hydrogeologists
Project Managers
The financial pressures facing many utilities and remediation companies increase the need for experts who can innovate affordable and scalable solutions. This demand is creating a competitive recruitment landscape as businesses try to attract individuals with the technical skills needed to react to changing PFAS regulations.
Due to the niche skills required, employers may face challenges finding skilled candidates who are experienced in working with PFAS-specific technologies and understand the legislation. Companies may need to enhance their recruitment strategies and offer competitive benefits and career development opportunities to attract the best talent in the PFAS space.
Talent Solutions to Overcome Recruitment Challenges
To overcome the recruitment challenges in the PFAS remediation industry, companies should consider the following strategies:
Elevate their employer brand – Companies should show their innovation in the PFAS remediation industry by highlighting their successes and positioning themselves as leaders in the specific area.
Widen their talent pool – They should look to transition to hybrid or remote working models to access talent from other locations and tap into global networks to find skilled candidates.
Review benefits and compensation – Businesses should look to offer competitive salaries, career development opportunities, and other benefits to attract top talent.
Ensure a diverse hiring process – Hiring with inclusivity and diversity in mind can help to boost innovation and bring a range of different perspectives to the company.
How CSG Talent Supports PFAS Solution Businesses
At CSG Talent, we have a Civil Engineering recruitment team that specializes in PFAS remediation and understands the unique demands and challenges of this developing industry. They are well-equipped to help businesses find top talent with the skillset needed to tackle PFAS contamination effectively.
Their expertise in Environmental Engineering recruitment means they have access to an extensive network of highly qualified professionals experienced in advanced PFAS remediation technologies. The team works closely with clients to understand their specific needs, whether they are looking for scientists to develop advanced treatment solutions or project managers to lead large-scale projects.
Contact our specialist executive recruiters to discover how you can gain access to a talented pool of candidates and benefit from a streamlined recruitment process that sets your business up for success.
