Testing shows PFAS destruction at commercial scale

Clean Harbors has reported the results of its latest PFAS study, confirming that its high-temperature incinerators destroyed multiple PFAS compounds under strict U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards.

The company said the November 2024 study was conducted at one of its facilities with oversight from EPA officials and the Department of Defense (DoD). It added that the testing extended earlier trials carried out in 2021 and 2022.

According to Clean Harbors, the study was designed to meet new EPA standards OTM-50 and 0010, which it said are the strictest available for PFAS. The business explained that no other destruction technology has yet met both standards.

Co-Chief Executive Officer Eric Gerstenberg said: “These study results further validate that we can safely and thoroughly destroy a wide variety of PFAS compounds in our high-temperature RCRA-permitted hazardous waste incinerators.

“We have always been confident in the capabilities of our facilities as it relates to PFAS compounds.

“There has been misinformation around incineration and whether it is safe to destroy PFAS.

“We excelled using both OTM-50 and 0010 – the EPA’s strictest and newest testing standards for PFAS.

“We are the only company to have achieved that designation.

“Most importantly, we demonstrated with certainty that we can effectively eliminate the threat from forever chemicals in its multiple forms and at commercial scale with consistent outcomes.”

Involvement of federal agencies and regulators

Clean Harbors explained that the testing was run with input from EPA and DoD officials. It said the agencies were involved given the ongoing concern about PFAS exposure.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin recently visited the company’s Deer Park facility and observed how incineration is being used to treat hazardous waste. Following the visit, Zeldin said it was “impressive to see new American technologies being implemented to protect the environment.”

Co-Chief Executive Officer Mike Battles added: “In recent years, scientific evidence has repeatedly proven the adverse health effects of many of these PFAS chemicals.

“The EPA and other federal and state regulatory authorities have begun establishing frameworks to protect human health from the impacts of these compounds.

“The first major step at the federal level was the creation in 2024 of a drinking water standard.

“Further steps are needed to establish rules for soil remediation and acceptable methods for PFAS destruction.

“We partnered directly with the EPA for our recent testing to ensure that we not only met their latest standards but gathered the most comprehensive data to help regulators develop effective new regulations for PFAS and protect the country from its health impacts.

“The U.S. Department of Defense also was involved, given their commitment to protecting service members and addressing potential PFAS contamination at military installations.”

Methodology and compounds tested

Clean Harbors stated that the study included sampling and analysis across waste feed streams, residues, and stack gases.

The company noted that various PFAS compounds were introduced during the testing, including AFFF concentrate, PFOA, PFOS, PFBA, PFDA, PFHxA, PFHxS, and HFPO-DA.

It said results confirmed effective destruction of these chemicals with emissions measured far below state and federal air limits.

The organisation added that emissions were two to eight orders of magnitude safer than any current guideline.

Independent review of study data

Clean Harbors reported that the study results were reviewed by two external experts.

The organisation said Melvin E. Keener, Executive Director of the Coalition for Responsible Waste Incineration, and Dr Jens Blotevogel, Principal Research Scientist at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, both assessed the data.

It explained that both experts have long experience studying organic contaminants and environmental impacts.

According to the company, the external review supported the study’s conclusions.

Total PFAS solution framework

Clean Harbors said its PFAS study forms part of a wider service framework introduced in 2024.

The company explained that the “Total PFAS Solution” includes eight elements, ranging from analysis to water filtration, remediation, and final disposal.

Gerstenberg said: “We know that many customers want safe, assured destruction of PFAS at scale to eliminate any further liabilities as these chemicals never degrade and often migrate.

“There are many locations that have soil, water or both contaminated by PFAS, as well as stockpiles of compounds such as AFFF that customers need solutions to address.

“In addition, over the decades, PFAS chemicals have leached into groundwater and contaminated drinking supplies.

“Given that customers are facing PFAS in multiple forms, we introduced our ‘Total PFAS Solution’ in 2024 consisting of eight core elements and providing customers with a range of services to meet all their needs, from analysis to water filtration to remediation to disposal.

“Today, Clean Harbors remains the only company that can offer an end-to-end, single-source answer for any PFAS need, and at a commercially scalable level.”

Future regulation and market context

Battles said: “Based on the results of this latest rigorous study, we continue to view our end-to-end solution and thermal destruction at our RCRA-permitted facilities as the safest and most viable option for addressing and eliminating PFAS, which in total represents a massive market opportunity in the years ahead.

“The study data supports the confidence we have in our technology and state-of-the-art air pollution and emission controls; the study results should dispel any lingering doubts about PFAS incineration.”

The company said the findings would help inform regulators and industry stakeholders as rules for PFAS destruction continue to be developed.

Relevance for fire and safety professionals

PFAS has direct relevance to the fire sector due to its historical use in aqueous film forming foam (AFFF).

Fire and rescue services continue to manage the phase-out of PFAS-based foams and must ensure safe disposal of remaining stockpiles.

The Clean Harbors study provides data on destruction methods that regulators may consider when setting future disposal rules.

For fire safety professionals, understanding PFAS incineration outcomes may influence compliance strategies, procurement decisions, and environmental risk management.

Clean Harbors PFAS study confirms results under EPA oversight: Summary

Clean Harbors reported PFAS destruction results in November 2024.

The study was conducted at a U.S. facility with EPA and DoD oversight.

The company said it met EPA standards OTM-50 and 0010.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin observed operations at the Deer Park facility.

Mike Battles said further regulation is needed for soil and disposal.

Sampling tested PFAS compounds including PFOA, PFOS, and AFFF concentrate.

Clean Harbors reported destruction with emissions below state and federal limits.

The company said results were reviewed by Melvin Keener and Dr Jens Blotevogel.

It added that the experts supported the conclusions.

Clean Harbors highlighted its Total PFAS Solution service launched in 2024.

The business said it remains the only company offering full-scale solutions.

The company said its results may guide regulators and industry rules.