A group of synthetic chemicals called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances—PFAS, for short—are used in a wide range of consumer, manufacturing, and fire safety products. But these chemicals contaminate the environment and some are linked to health problems in people.
More information is needed to help government agencies and others address PFAS-related risks. But this group of chemicals is large, diverse, hard to study, and difficult to fully remove from the environment.
In this report, we discuss technologies to detect and treat PFAS contamination and assess its health effects. We also offer policymakers additional actions to consider.
Firefighter spraying a type of chemical foam that can contain PFAS
Current and promising technologies and methods could accelerate assessment of human health effects caused by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and improve the detection and treatment of PFAS in the environment. However, these technologies and methods face key challenges that hinder effective management of PFAS.
Focus of the per- and and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) technologies discussed in this report
Assessment. Technologies that may accelerate assessment of PFAS health effects include high-throughput assays—automated testing methods that rapidly evaluate a large number of chemicals—and machine learning, which may help improve on technologies that predict health effects based on the effects of similar molecules.
Detection. Current technologies for detecting PFAS can reliably quantify about 50 specific PFAS, but these technologies are unable to detect or quantify the thousands of other PFAS known to exist. EPA requires reliable samples, known as analytical standards, to develop PFAS detection methods. However, researchers and agencies are developing new detection methods that do not need analytical standards and can screen for or quantify unknown PFAS. These methods include high-resolution mass spectrometry and total fluorine analysis.
Treatment. PFAS treatment can involve removal of PFAS from contaminated media, followed either by disposal in landfills or destruction by incineration. There are full-scale, proven treatment technologies that can remove PFAS from drinking water. But these technologies also leave behind PFAS-contaminated residual materials that must be disposed of or destroyed. Emerging technologies may be more effective, but none have been demonstrated at full scale, and most are still being researched.
GAO identified three challenges associated with PFAS assessment, detection, and treatment technologies:
GAO developed the following three policy options that could help mitigate these challenges. These policy options involve possible actions by policymakers, which may include Congress, federal agencies, state and local governments, academia, and industry. See below for details on some of the policy options and relevant opportunities and considerations.
Policy Options That Could Help Enhance Benefits or Mitigate Challenges of PFAS Assessment, Detection, and Treatment Technologies
Policy option
Opportunities
Considerations
Promote research (report p. 35)
Policymakers could support development of technologies and methods to more efficiently research PFAS health risks.
This policy option could help address the challenge of limited information on the large number and diversity of PFAS, as well as a lack of standardized data sets for machine learning.
Expand method development (report p. 36)
Policymakers could collaborate to improve access to standard reference samples of PFAS, known as analytical standards and increase the pace of method and reference sample development for PFAS detection.
This policy option could help address the challenges of a lack of validated methods in media other than water, lack of analytical standards, and cost, which all affect researchers’ ability to develop new detection technologies.
Support full-scale treatment (report p. 37)
Policymakers could encourage the development and evaluation of full-scale technologies and methods to dispose of or destroy PFAS.
This policy option could help address the challenges of cost and efficiency of disposal and destruction technologies and a lack of guidance from regulators.
Source: GAO. | GAO-22-105088
PFAS are a large group of heat and stain resistant chemicals, first developed in the 1940s. PFAS are used in a wide range of products, including carpet, nonstick cookware, waterproof clothing, and firefighting foam used at airports and military bases. PFAS can persist in the environment, including in water, soil, and air, for decades or longer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found that most people in the U.S. have been exposed to two of the most widely studied PFAS, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). Both have been linked to human health problems.
GAO was asked to conduct a technology assessment on PFAS assessment, detection, and treatment. This report examines (1) technologies for more efficient assessments of the adverse health effects of PFAS and alternative substances; (2) the benefits and challenges of current and emerging technologies for PFAS detection and treatment; and (3) policy options that could help enhance benefits and mitigate challenges associated with these technologies.
GAO assessed relevant technologies; surveyed PFAS subject matter experts; interviewed stakeholder groups including government, non-governmental organizations, industry, and academia; and reviewed key reports. GAO is identifying policy options in this report.
For more information, contact Karen L. Howard at (202) 512-6888 or howardk@gao.gov or J. Alfredo Gómez at (202) 512-3841 or gomezj@gao.gov.
Stay informed as we add new reports & testimonies.
