Fear Not Wilmington, We Have A Solution for PFAS in Water!
Published on by Nick Nicholas, App Eng/Technical Director at Genesis Water Technologies, Inc. in Technology
At this point, it’s no surprise that over 60,000 residents of Wilmington, N.C. have been exposed to multiple harmful emerging contaminants including GenX and PFAS in drinking water. These emerging contaminants are a byproduct of the expansion of manufacturing over the years. They are believed to cause trace forms of cancer within residents of this quaint region of North Carolina for over thirty-years. One company has proposed a solution to this problem, ultimately saving lives and promoting economic growth within the region. Genesis Water Technologies, a leader in the global water treatment industry, has proposed a proven solution to the challenge plaguing the area that has not been dealt with optimally. This specialized treatment solution is called Advanced Oxidation.
Innovative Advanced Oxidation Systems designed, engineered and supplied by Genesis Water Technologies (GWT) provide a cost-efficient solution to treat problematic pollutants in both drinking water and wastewater. These systems are a part of a specialized treatment process that can treat GenX and PFAS in water. More importantly, it’s a means to take a step forward in the right direction for the Wilmington area and other areas that are suffering similar issues. After all, clean drinking water is a right, not a privilege.
By integrating an Advanced Oxidation System, GWT can neutralize or remove the toxic contaminants in the tainted water source. These modular systems are adaptable to both industrial and municipal water treatment applications.
Genesis Water Technologies designs these innovative systems utilizing a specific integration of electrochemical, ozone, ultraviolet disinfection, hydrogen peroxide or other specific oxidants. In this process, we are able to create an abundance of extremely reactive oxygen species and hydroxyl radicals that can destroy a wide range of pathogens and emerging contaminants in the tainted drinking water or wastewater source.
What is GenX?
GenX is a member of a group of man-made compounds called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). These chemicals are used in a wide range of industrial applications and tend to resist decomposition in the environment.
GenX itself is a processing aid used to make high-performance polymers used in a variety of applications including cell phones, laptops, and non-stick cookware.
Dupont, which later spun Chemours off, began making GenX in 2009 after agreeing to a consent order with the EPA to replace PFOA, a harmful substance also known as C8. At the time, the company said GenX has “favorable toxicological profile” and is easier for humans to eliminate than C8. It was only during a meeting with Wilmington-areas officials that it was revealed the chemical was also created as a byproduct of a vinyl ether process occurring at the Wilmington area plant.
There are no federal or state health limits established yet for GenX, as it is an emerging contaminant. However, this can change rapidly as its effects on the environment and human health trigger stricter regulations. The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services has set a health goal of 140 parts per million currently.
So where do we go from here? Since there is no official regulation for neither PFAS or GenX in the state of NC, although its affects are profound. We need to take into account the numerous individuals who could have been directly affected by its consumption. Currently, there are no federal standards for drinking water that contains emerging contaminants such as PFAS or GenX. However, despite their long-term effects being relatively unknown on humans, several studies have shown that the exposure may lead to the formation of tumors and potentially cause reproductive problems.
Through the incorporation of Genesis Water Technologies’ Advanced Oxidation Systems, we propose a highly effective path to treating GenX and PFAS in water. This is accomplished by using the highly effective hydroxyl radical molecule to effectively treat not only the prior mentioned chemicals, but additional emerging contaminants in drinking water and industrial wastewater applications. This solution also requires a minimal footprint, while being cost-efficient to its operator.
Genesis Water Technologies has brought forth a solution to end the controversial debate that has plagued this region of North Carolina for years. Our goal is to educate the public and industry alike of the benefits provided by specialized Advanced Oxidation. Our goal is to serve all three parties at hand: the citizens of the region, the municipalities, and the manufacturing organization. It is our intention, to restore the reputation of the manufacturing organization by instituting a public integration that will serve all parties listed above.
Wilmington deserves a water treatment solution to solve the threats posed by emerging contaminants, and that solution integrates specialized Advanced Oxidation.
At Genesis Water Technologies we stand behind the belief that clean water is a right, rather than a privilege. Each day we strive to use innovation to meet the water needs of the world. We believe that serving our clients is best done when we serve our society. Therefore, we will stand behind the citizens of the greater Wilmington area and other areas with similar issues, to ensure that their voices are heard.
Are emerging contaminants affecting your municipalities drinking water supplies? Does your industrial organization want to do your part to alleviate concerns over your wastewater discharge? To learn more about how Genesis Water Technologies can assist your business or municipality to optimize your treatment process to treat emerging contaminants, contact Genesis Water Technologies at 1-877-267-3699 in the USA.
You can also reach us via email at customersupport@genesiswatertech.com for a no cost initial consultation of your particular application.
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