Clean Harbors, Inc. published the results of a recent study confirming that incineration of PFA in commercially available high-temperature facilities can effectively and safely eliminate multiple forms of toxic “eternal chemicals.”
The study, conducted in collaboration with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Defense (DOD), demonstrates that its incineration process meets EPA’s most stringent new testing standards for PFAS destruction.
PFAS stands for merely fluoroalkyl substances and is a group of artificial chemicals associated with cancer, liver damage, and other health issues. They are not broken naturally, contaminating drinking water, soil, and even human blood flow around the world.
This new study illustrates a crucial step in proving that large-scale PFA destruction is possible using advanced incineration techniques.
Meets the most stringent EPA standards
The November 2024 test is designed to surpass previous exams in 2021 and 2022.
Clean Harbors operated hazardous waste incinerators at temperatures of 2,000-2,200 degrees Fahrenheit, introducing a wide range of PFAS compounds, including PFOA, PFOS, PFHXS, PFBA, and AFFF Firefighting FOAM.
The company has been specially tested against two of the EPA’s two newest and most demanding methods: the OTM-50 and Method 0010 (predecessor of the OTM-55).
Other destructive techniques have not successfully met both standards. According to Clean Harbor, stack emissions were found to be 2-8 digits safer than federal or state aviation guidelines.
Surveillance from regulators and officials
The test was conducted at one of Clean Harbors’ incineration facilities monitored by both the EPA and DOD and permeated the RCRA.
DOD has a strong interest in destruction of PFAs as decades of use of fire foam at military bases contributes to widespread groundwater pollution.
EPA administrator Lee Zeldin visited Clean Harbor Park in Texas, Texas, to review how high-temperature incineration is used to treat dangerous waste such as PFA. His visit shows the growing attention of the federal government to the urgent need for reliable methods of destruction.
Independent scientific verification
To ensure reliability, Clean Harbors shared data with third-party experts, including the Responsible Waste Incineration Union and researchers from the Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Institute (CSIRO).
Both experts have long been recognized in their studies on environmental pollutants, confirming that the results of the study validated the incineration of PFA as a safe and effective method.
Eric Gerstenberg, CEO of Clean Harbors, commented:
“We are always confident in the capabilities of our facility as it relates to PFAS compounds. There is false information about incineration and whether it is safe to destroy PFA. We excel using both the OTM-50 and 0010, the most stringent and latest testing facilities in PFA’s EPA.
“We are the only company to achieve that designation. Most importantly, we have certainly demonstrated that we can effectively eliminate the threat from Forever Chemicals on a commercial scale with multiple forms and consistent results.”
Looking ahead: PFAS Regulations and Opportunities
The EPA introduced PFA’s first federal drinking water standards in 2024, but more regulations are expected to be placed on soil cleanup and destruction methods.
Clean Harbors’ latest results help shape these rules while positioning the company as a market leader in PFAS disruption.
Corporate executives argue that heat treatment at facilities that have permeated the RCRA remains the safest and most proven option to date. As PFA is associated with significant health risks and public concern, the need for scalable disruption technologies will only grow.
Supported by EPA and independent scientists, Clean Harbors’ successful trials suggest that incineration of PFA could ultimately provide a reliable solution.
If widely adopted, the technology could become a cornerstone to protect drinking water, restore contaminated sites, and reduce future health risks associated with eternal chemicals.
Source link
