Connecting The Dots Project
PFAS, Forever Chemical
Recently, concerns over PFAS, known as "forever chemicals," have been making headlines since the initial report of a $10.3 billion settlement with 3M. PFAS is a group of human-made chemicals that have been widely used in various industrial and consumer products since the 1940s. PFAS is used to repel oil, grease, water, and stains, making them useful in non-stick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, water-resistant coatings, and firefighting foams. Some studies suggest that exposure to PFAS may be linked to health issues, including kidney and testicular cancer, thyroid disease, low birth weights, immune system dysfunction, and developmental effects in infants and children.
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Today, let's think about the scenario if our backyard soil was contaminated with PFAS. I have been wondering how soil can be remediated after a house fire or fire fighting drills. First and foremost, it is essential to consult a specialist or the local EPA to get the soil assessed if you are concerned about contamination. The remediation processes are complex, extreme, costly, and often dangerous, as we are dealing with "forever chemicals." But that is how the chemical earned its notoriety with its characteristics to endure extreme conditions. Examples of currently known removal methods are the immobilization method using activated carbon (GAC), soil washing, thermal treatment (1000°C), deep excavation, and ex-situ methods. I must emphasize that these methods should only be implemented by professionals, so please DO NOT TRY THIS IF YOU ARE NOT A TRAINED SPECIALIST.
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Anyway, you may be wondering if raising the soil level can prevent contamination or you could still enjoy gardening veggies in your yard. Here is a summary of what I have read so far: raising the soil level in a garden will not directly address PFAS contamination. PFAS compounds can migrate through the soil and contaminate groundwater, which can then be taken up by plants. Simply adding more soil on top will not eliminate or reduce the presence of PFAS in the underlying soil. Therefore, if you live on or around contaminated grounds and wish to grow edible plants, it is advisable to use planting pots and avoid the use of well water for these plants.
Sources: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.0c03058
https://www.sciencedirect.com/.../abs/pii/S0301479719316147
