Breaking the forever chemical cycle starts with industry
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PFAS contamination is everywhere: clothing, household products, even the water we drink. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), aka “forever chemicals,” are engineered to last, making them commonplace in manufacturing but devastating to human health and the environment. While regulators scramble to set new limits, traditional water treatment methods aren’t keeping up.
For industry, this is an environmental crisis and a business imperative. Investing in PFAS removal and destruction technologies can help the industries contributing to PFAS contamination mitigate risks, open new markets, keep pace with regulations, and earn trust in an era where sustainability and operational efficiency are key business drivers.
The true cost of inaction
Studies suggest that PFAS has contaminated almost 50% of the U.S. tap water supply. These chemicals are linked to a growing list of health risks, including cancers and chronic diseases. Many global institutions have recently taken regulatory action. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed stringent limits for PFAS in drinking water. Meanwhile, the European Union is considering a near-total PFAS ban in consumer products.
But PFAS contamination isn’t just a regulatory headache, it’s also a massive financial burden. One report estimates that decontaminating Europe from PFAS could cost at least €100 billion annually and €2 trillion over two decades. In the U.S., the EPA projects that public drinking water systems will need $1.5 billion per year to meet proposed PFAS limits. The American Water Works Association suggests that cost could exceed $3.8 billion annually, and that’s for just two PFAS compounds (PFOA and PFOS) out of thousands.
Beyond drinking water, recent studies expose another major PFAS concern: wastewater and sludge. Treated wastewater, often considered safe for reuse, has been found to still carry significant levels of PFAS. Even more concerning is the widespread practice of using treated sewage sludge as farm fertilizer. The EPA has warned that PFAS in sludge can contaminate crops, soil, and groundwater, creating a direct pathway from industrial chemical waste to the food we eat.
Industries from agriculture to consumer goods face supply chain disruptions, product recalls, and legal battles over PFAS exposure. This is a problem that can’t be ignored. The question isn’t whether businesses should act, it’s whether they can afford not to.
Why industry leadership is essential
Government action alone isn’t enough to tackle PFAS contamination effectively. The private sector’s speed, resources, and innovation are crucial to addressing PFAS contamination. Public utilities and municipalities often lack the funding and technical expertise to implement cutting-edge solutions on their own. Businesses, especially those in water treatment, chemical manufacturing, and waste management, have both the responsibility and capability to lead the charge in PFAS decontamination.
This leadership goes beyond compliance and represents a real opportunity. Companies that invest in next-generation PFAS treatment technologies will be well-positioned to meet growing demand from a range of stakeholders seeking to reduce their environmental footprint. Proactive companies can also shape industry standards, influence policy, and build reputations as sustainability leaders.
Current solutions are falling short
Many existing PFAS treatment methods are simply shifting the problem elsewhere. Most “treatments” remove the forever chemicals from water but create a new problem: concentrated waste. This waste is often incinerated or landfilled, practices that are costly, energy-intensive, and environmentally risky.
In some cases, utilities transport PFAS-contaminated waste across state lines for disposal. This effectively increases costs and emissions and shifts the contamination burden from one community to another, without solving the core problem.
The real solution? Destroying PFAS at its source.
The business case for on-site PFAS destruction
Emerging technologies like electrochemical oxidation and micro-foam fractionation can eliminate PFAS at the molecular level rather than just concentrating and relocating it.
These technologies offer a dual advantage: environmental safety and economic efficiency. By treating PFAS on site, companies reduce the risk of these toxic substances re-entering the environment and provide a cost-effective solution for municipalities and industrial users. For industries that rely on water (manufacturing, energy, pharmaceuticals), adopting these technologies is about more than compliance—it’s about resilience.
The time to lead is now
A world in which PFAS no longer contaminates our food, water, or ecosystems is within reach. It requires bold industry action, leadership, and innovation. The fight against PFAS isn’t confined to one sector; it demands collaboration across industries, from fashion and pharmaceuticals to agriculture and water management. By investing in sustainable water technologies, companies can create new markets and this will drive economic growth. Most importantly, this investment will safeguard public health.
The PFAS crisis is here. It’s global and it’s growing, but it is solvable. The question is not whether companies should address PFAS, but how fast they are willing to lead.
With the right combination of innovation, investment, and accountability, businesses can turn the tide on PFAS pollution. Industry players who act now will be at the forefront of a cleaner and safer future, one that is more sustainable.
Prakash Govindan is cofounder and COO of Gradiant.