Environmental Experts Radio

Environmental Experts Radio has reached our 50th episode! In this milestone episode, which is also the third installment in our miniseries on PFAS compounds as emerging contaminants, host Dave Coyne welcomes Cathy Swanson, chemical engineer and Development Manager with Purolite in southern California. Dave and Cathy discuss the challenges of isolating and capturing PFAS compounds once released to the environment, as well as the current state of technologies for the removal and destruction of PFAS through both conventional and advanced treatment methods.

In this episode, we continue our discussion of PFAS compounds as an emerging contaminant and focus on answering questions related to the fate and transport of this class of chemicals. We'll explore how the unique molecular properties of PFAS compounds can govern their behavior once released into the environment - including how they interact with our natural systems, and what mechanisms account for their near-ubiquitous transport across the globe.

If you haven't yet heard of PFAS compounds, you probably should. This class of man-made compounds was created decades ago to serve an important role in materials science, but through their widespread use in industry and everyday consumer products, PFAS have been found in air, soil and water across the planet are estimated to be in the blood of 99% of humans. In this episode, we'll look at the origins and chemical characteristics of this fascinating - and troubling - class of emerging contaminants.

Episode 47 is an introduction to Environmental Experts Radio's special-topic series on Emerging Contaminants. In this multi-part special series, we'll focus on three classes of contaminants that have been increasingly drawing attention over the past several years: PFAS compounds, pharmaceutical residues, and microplastics. We'll look at how they originated, how they behave once released to the environment, how they can affect human health, and the ways in which environmental scientists are learning to isolate and remove these materials to minimize their impact.

In the second part of our two-episode discussion with retired Pennsylvania DEP Geologist Manager Walter Payne, we explore Walter's personal perspectives on what it takes to be an effective environmental regulator, and what challenges lie ahead for public policymakers that aim to protect the environment while encouraging economic growth and innovation.