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Abstract Water treatment technologies are needed that can convert per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) into inorganic products (e.g., CO2, F−) that are less toxic than parent PFAS compounds. Research on electrochemical treatment processes such as electrocoagulation and electrooxidation has demonstrated proof‐of‐concept PFAS removal and destruction. However, research has primarily been conducted in laboratory matrices that are electrochemically favorable (e.g., high initial PFAS concentration [μg/L–mg/L], high conductivity, and absence of oxidant scavengers). Electrochemical treatment is also a promising technology for treating PFAS in water treatment residuals from nondestructive technologies (e.g., ion exchange, nanofiltration, and reverse osmosis). Future electrochemical PFAS treatment research should focus on environmentally relevant PFAS concentrations (i.e., ng/L), matrix conductivity, natural organic matter impacts, short‐chain PFAS removal, transformation products analysis, and systems‐level analysis for cost evaluation. Article Impact StatementElectrochemical treatment is capable of destroying per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances, but future research should reflect more realistic drinking water sources.
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Identifying and sharing per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances hot-spot areas and exposures in drinking water
Abstract Exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water is widely recognized as a public health concern. Decision-makers who are responsible for managing PFAS drinking water risks lack the tools to acquire the information they need. In response to this need, we provide a detailed description of a Kentucky dataset that allows decision-makers to visualize potential hot-spot areas and evaluate drinking water systems that may be susceptible to PFAS contamination. The dataset includes information extracted from publicly available sources to create five different maps in ArcGIS Online and highlights potential sources of PFAS contamination in the environment in relation to drinking water systems. As datasets of PFAS drinking water sampling continue to grow as part of evolving regulatory requirements, we used this Kentucky dataset as an example to promote the reuse of this dataset and others like it. We incorporated the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) principles by creating a Figshare item that includes all data and associated metadata with these five ArcGIS maps.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2020026
- PAR ID:
- 10423127
- Publisher / Repository:
- Nature Publishing Group
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Scientific Data
- Volume:
- 10
- Issue:
- 1
- ISSN:
- 2052-4463
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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