Breaking the forever chemical cycle starts with industry

The Fast Company Impact Council offers a platform for leaders to share insights. PFAS, or "forever chemicals", contaminate water, soil, and consumer products posing serious health and environmental risks. Regulators are implementing stricter limits, creating a business imperative for industries involved with PFAS. Inaction leads to high costs, including decontamination efforts and potential legal liabilities. Wastewater and sewage sludge further amplify the contamination issue, impacting agriculture and food. Government alone cannot solve the crisis; private sector innovation is essential for effective solutions. Current PFAS treatment methods often just move the problem instead of destroying the chemicals. New technologies, like electrochemical oxidation, offer on-site PFAS destruction, offering environmental and economic benefits. Companies should invest in sustainable water technologies and drive economic growth while safeguarding public health. The PFAS crisis is global, growing, and solvable through industry leadership and investment. Businesses acting now will lead the way to a safer, more sustainable future.