They bioaccumulate and PFOA - one of the primary compounds within the PFAS group - is believed to be in the blood of virtually every living creature on the planet… including 99% of humans. These ‘forever chemicals’ have been linked to adverse health effects such as low birth weight, delayed puberty onset, elevated cholesterol levels and reduced immunologic responses to vaccination.

At Cognition Land and Water, we have been closely monitoring the progress of knowledge around these new and emerging chemicals and have been actively involved in the design and implementation of remediation strategies for a number of key sites including former airfields and firefighting facilities. We are also partnering with the Australian developer of a novel and innovative water treatment process that removes all detectable traces of PFAS from treated water at high throughput rates, at low cost and without the need for costly and limited capacity reagents, catalysts or filters.

In our aim to be at the forefront of our industry, Cognition funded and was on the Project Steering Group for the production of CIRIA best practice guidance on the topic. CIRIA report C819 - “Good practice guidance: some per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in soil and the water environment” was published in November 2024 and has become the go-to industry guidance on the assessment and remediation of PFAS impacts.

Please get in touch if you require expert advice and guidance on PFAS contamination at your site.