Calgary, AB – FREDsense Technologies Corp. has announced a breakthrough in detecting per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as “forever chemicals,” in water sources. This new technology offers a portable solution capable of identifying PFAS compounds within minutes, providing data crucial for environmental site investigations and remediation activities.
PFAS compounds are notorious for their durability in the environment and potential health risks. They have been a persistent challenge due to their minute acceptable presence levels, measured in parts per trillion (ng/L). Historically, the lack of portable commercial tools for quick, field-based measurement has hindered rapid decision-making during environmental assessments and clean-up operations.
According to FREDsense, their technology fills this gap by allowing field consultants and decision-makers to access immediate data, dramatically expediting environmental response and clean-up processes. The absence of such tools has traditionally meant reliance on lab results, which could take weeks to obtain, thus delaying crucial remediation work.
David Lloyd, CEO of FREDsense, expressed his excitement about the new technology, stating, “We are incredibly excited to share our recent technical findings demonstrating the potential for the technology to meet a significant need in the market.” He emphasized that the technology aligns with the company’s mission to make water testing fast, accessible, and reliable.
In a case study, FREDsense demonstrated successful analysis of AFFF (aqueous film-forming foam) contaminated groundwater, showing detection levels below 100 parts per trillion. These results were recently presented at the New England Waste Management Officials’ Association (NEWMOA) conference.
The urgency for such technology has been underscored by the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recent regulatory updates, which set maximum contaminant levels (MCL) for PFAS in drinking water. The EPA has established limits as low as 4 parts per trillion for certain PFAS compounds, necessitating more efficient and quicker testing methods.
FREDsense’s advancement represents a significant stride in environmental monitoring, enabling industries to conduct same-day testing and make faster, more informed decisions regarding PFAS treatment and removal. The company aims to further refine the technology to meet even lower detection thresholds, facilitating compliance with stringent environmental regulations.
This technological innovation not only promises to speed up the detection process but also reduces the costs and complexities associated with traditional laboratory testing, thus revolutionizing the approach to managing and mitigating PFAS contamination.
