Plasma Blue, LLC

What are PFAS?

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of synthetic chemicals that are resistant to heat, water and oil. They are also known as “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down in the environment. They’re a man-made chemical that are produced using electrochemical fluorination (ECF) and fluorotelomerization. This process utilizes extra heat and pressure to lock together or create a fluorotelomerization bond. This bond is one of the hardest to break naturally in chemical bonds.

PFAS have been used extensively in everyday products for decades, including clothing, carpet, cookware, food packaging and firefighting equipment and foam. While these “forever chemicals” are very effective for their intended uses, the unintended consequences are substantial.

Why PFAS are Considered Problematic

PFAS do not break down easily in the environment, leading to widespread contamination of soil, water and air. They have many C-F bonds, which require a log of energy to break and enable PFAS destruction. They can accumulate in the environment and in the bodies of living organisms over time.

Exposure to PFAS has been linked to a range of adverse health effects, including:

  • Increased cholesterol levels
  • Immune system effects
  • Hormonal disruptions
  • Increased risk of certain cancers (such as kidney and testicular cancer)
  • Developmental issues in fetuses and infants

PFAS have been found in drinking water supplies, food, and even in the blood of people and animals. This widespread presence raises concerns about the potential for long-term health impacts on populations.

The complexity of PFAS chemistry and the sheer number of different compounds in this group make regulation difficult. While some PFAS have been phased out, many others remain in use, and there is ongoing debate about how to best manage and remediate contaminated sites.

The presence of PFAS in water supplies and the environment can lead to significant economic costs related to water treatment, health care and environmental cleanup efforts.

PFAS are most commonly found in fire training/fire response sites, industrial sites, landfills, military sites and wastewater treatment plants/biosolids. Commonly, this contamination arose from advanced firefighting foam (AFFF) utilization. This means many sites with AFFF storage tanks and other fire suppression infrastructure need PFAS removal.

AFFF has been the primary tool used to effectively control fuel and flammable liquid fires. It’s estimated in the U.S. there is up to 4.6 million gallons of AFFF concentrate stored by military and other industries. This represents hundreds of millions of dollars of impacted infrastructure. A cost-effective solution to decontaminate this equipment and locations is urgently needed.

Cleaning up facilities where PFAS is found can be costly. Those facilities are also at a greater risk of being shut down by the state of Minnesota due to state regulations.

PFAS Regulations

Minnesota has made substantial progress in regulating PFAS. Starting January 1, 2025, products in 11 categories were prohibited from containing intentionally added PFAS. Sales of products containing intentionally added PFAS will be prohibited in Minnesota by January 1, 2032. These categories include:

  • Carpets or rugs
  • Cleaning products
  • Cookware
  • Cosmetics
  • Dental floss
  • Fabric treatments
  • Juvenile products
  • Menstruation products
  • Textile furnishings
  • Ski wax
  • Upholstered furniture

Monitoring PFAS at Landfills

The level of federally regulated PFAS at 4-10 parts per trillion (ppt), the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has made significant efforts to detect PFAS at landfills across the state. MPCA has tested for PFAS in groundwater at 102 closed landfills statewide, finding PFAS contamination at 100 closed landfills, including 62 closed landfills that have PFAS levels exceeding Minnesota Department of Health (DOH) drinking water guidelines.

How does Plasma Blue technology ensure PFAS removal?

Plasma Blue is a destructive technology. The utilization of cold plasma translates to lower energy use and ultimately cost savings while still destroying PFAS or mineralizing it into carbon and fluorine. Temperatures in our process only reach around 100 degrees Fahrenheit and the PSI level of our system operates around 130psi. Low levels ensure the system is safe for operators and the infrastructure around them. Depending on the level of PFAS contamination, destruction costs below the regulated four parts per trillion can be as low as 10 cents per 1,000 gallons. Dramatically lower than all other systems.

PFAS Resources

Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) | NIEHS-funded Research

Our Current Understanding of the Human Health and Environmental Risks of PFAS

How to take ‘forever’ out of forever chemicals

Evaluation of Current Alternatives and Estimated Cost Curves for PFAS Removal and Destruction

Toxic ‘forever chemicals’ ubiquitous in Great Lakes basin, study finds

Strategies for the Biodegradation of Polyfluorinated Compounds

PFAS may be contaminating drinking water for up to 27% of Americans – study

Plasma Blue.
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A revolutionary process technology company that focuses on harnessing the power of plasma to create reactive species that can effectively disinfect water, remove contaminants and improve water quality.