Gulf Coast Environmental Systems

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PFAS in Landfills

PFAS in Landfills

By now, you have likely heard about PFAS, the “forever chemical.” What you may not know is that landfills are a major source of environmental PFAS contamination. So, what is this chemical, and how do we approach PFAS abatement in landfills?

PFAS in LandfillsWhat are PFAS and Why Are They a Challenge for Landfills?

PFOA & PFOS Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of man-made, highly fluorine chemicals, that are facing strict regulatory restrictions in the near future. Though there are nearly 4,800 different types of perfluoroalkyl substances, there are two that are commonly focused on because of their use in everyday household products: perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid. Both are considered stable chemicals, comprised of 8 carbons. The stability of these carbons and fluorine atoms is what makes them extremely persistent in the environment, and a problem in landfills, because they are very difficult to abate.

PFAS are incredibly common in the production of many consumer goods, from clothing and pots and pans, to food packaging and automotive parts. Because of their prolific use, they can be found in every landfill. These compounds make it into the air and soil in a couple of different ways, making it a challenge to control.

  1. Many facilities burn their solid waste in order to reduce overfilling at landfill sites.
  2. Wastewater, or leachate, from landfills can runoff into the soil.

These emissions of PFAS are troubling because PFAS are incredibly persistent, meaning they do not degrade naturally, over time. This is due to the stability of these carbons and fluorine atoms; this also makes PFAS difficult to abate. PFAS from landfills and wastewater facilities gave garnered a lot of attention in recent years, because of their known health risks. Studies have shown these higher levels of accumulation are directly tied to a number of concerning conditions, including liver issues, hypertension, developmental delays, high cholesterol, issues with immune responses, thyroid disease, pregnancy complications, and a number of different cancers. [Read more…]

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2021 Pollution Control Outlook

2021 Outlook

2020 was a year unlike any other. Many industries experienced unprecedented changes in demand, changing in ways no one was prepared for. But 2020 is over, and 2021 offers a whole new array of opportunities and challenges.

There is one topic that continued to be a focus across nearly all industries, and that is environmental protection. From large energy conglomerates to small dairy farms, companies across the globe are adopting green initiatives. These initiatives vary in their goals, but the one commonality among them is the goal to reduce waste and cut back or eliminate carbon emissions. These initiatives coincide with regulatory bodies from around the world starting to come down harsher on certain types of pollution and pollution generating activities, in some cases, rather harshly.

Gulf Coast Environmental Systems serves dozens upon dozens of industries, on nearly every continent on the planet. Through customer feedback and employee research, the below are a few issues we expect to dominate the headlines in 2021. [Read more…]

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PFAS as Emerging Contaminates: PFOA and PFOS

What are Perfluoroalkyl Substances?

PFOA & PFOSPerfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of man-made, highly fluorine chemicals, that are getting a lot of attention as emerging contaminants. Though there are nearly 4,800 different types of perfluoroalkyl substances, there are two that are commonly focused on because of their use in everyday household products: perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid. Perfluorooctanoic acid, also known as PFOA or C8, is a chemical compound with the molecular formula of C8HF15O2. Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, also known as PFOS, is a chemical compound with the molecular formula of C8HF17O3S. Both are considered stable chemicals, comprised of 8 carbons. The stability of these carbons and fluorine atoms make them extremely persistent in the environment, and difficult to abate.

Where are Perfluoroalkyl Substances like PFOA and PFOS found?

PFOA and PFOS are industrial chemicals widely used, across the globe. Their known for their ability to repel water and other sticky substances, making them ideal for a number of different applications. Common applications include:

  • As surface protection for items such as:
    • Non-stick cookware
    • Furniture
    • Carpeting and rugs
  • A component in the manufacturing of:
    • Food and beverage packaging
    • Personal hygiene goods like floss, waxes, and makeup
    • Automotive parts and fabrics
    • Consumer goods packaging
    • Outdoor clothing and gear
  • They are also commonly used in manufacturing facilities as:
    • Surfactants
    • Emulsifiers
    • Coatings
    • Wetting agents

[Read more…]

Company Profile

Gulf Coast Environmental Systems (GCES) is your custom solutions provider for pollution control systems, industrial ovens, systems engineering and field support worldwide. Our unique approach is to analyze your process stream and business objectives and propose an ideal solution or range of options to help you optimize these objectives. GCES is a one-stop shop: we provide engineering services, manufacturing, installation, commissioning and ongoing support. With our broad base of expertise and large installed global base, we are well-positioned to solve your pollution control issues.

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