PFAS in textile wastewater: An integrated scenario analysis for interventions prioritization to reduce environmental risk

• DOI: 10.1016/j.psep.2024.01.005
• Publication Date: 2024-01-05T08:38:23Z
• Authors: Beatrice Cantoni; Giovanni Bergna; Enrica Baldini; Francesca Malpei; Manuela Antonelli
• Keywords: Prioritization; Scrap

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are used in several industrial applications, such as textile manufacturing, known "forever chemicals" due to their spread, stability (eco-)toxicity, gaining increasing concern. To avoid PFAS spread the environment, reducing environmental risk on receiving surface water, prevention removal strategies should be implemented at multiple levels, comprising both factories municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). This study presents an integrated scenario analysis compare prioritize based potential minimization. Field monitoring campaigns, lab- pilot-scale experiments two established processes (pressure-driven membrane separation, adsorption activated carbon) were combined, was assessed a mixture of 15 PFAS. About prevention, substitution long-chain with short-chain considered, well reduction processing. The proposed approach applied district northern Italy without spikes tested wastewaters. has proven beneficial determining optimal combination actions across different levels (including and/or WWTP). methodology provides clear indication advantages, specifically minimizing risks, resulting from implementation diverse strategies. Compared current scenario, unacceptable (risk quotient, RQ=2.2), can reduced below acceptable threshold (RQ=0.9) by (i) reduction/replacement processing, (ii) discharged through separation prior discharge sewer, WWTP upgrade carbon downstream ozonation step.