Below are some of the most popular remediation methods. Questions remain however, such as how to deal with PFAS in filtering materials and whether or not there are potential byproducts of these methods, and if incineration releases PFAS into the air.

Granular activated carbon

Granular Activated Carbon (GAC)

  • an established and effective treatment for removing long-chain PFAS but further studies are needed on its effectiveness in removing shorter-chain PFAS. GAC can be reused after heat reactivation.

Reverse osmosis water filtration

Reverse Osmosis (RO)

  • an effective technology for removing contaminants by passing water through a semipermeable membrane. Pretreatment or nanofiltration may be required.

Carbon rich charcoal material

Biochar

  • a carbon-rich material generated from heating biomass such as wood or manure in a low-oxygen environment. Biochar functions similarly to GAC and has been tested as a PFAS removal material.

Ion exchange resin filter

Ion Exchange (IX) Resins

  • shown to reduce PFAS concentrations to below detection limits and can be single-use or regenerable. Single-use resins appear to be more effective at PFAS removal.

Incinerator flames

Incineration

  • thermal treatment of PFAS contamination in solids is believed to have a 90% removal rate at temperatures ranging from 842 - 1749.2°F and two studies in 2019 suggested low-heat treatments at 752°F achieved similar results.

electrical current representing oxidation decontamination

Oxidation

  • a method using electrical current passed through a chemical solution to oxidize PFAS contamination. PFAS removal ranged from 70% - +90% depending on the technique used.