How does RO prove useful in removing GenX?
In 2009, DuPont, a scientific engineering company founded in 1802 as a gunpowder factory, introduced GenX as an alternative to the perfluorooctanoic acid used in the synthesis of Teflon. Therefore, this chemical is considered essential for the manufacture of household items such as non-stick pots and fire extinguishing foam.
DuPont explained that GenX has a "better toxicological profile" than perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and received a consent order from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to make it commercially available. An increasing number of research-based legal challenges showing the dangerous health effects of PFOA are key factors in the introduction of GenX, giving them the status of "emergency chemicals".
Despite this promising explanation, the link is currently not well understood. It can take up to 20 years for a chemical to be regulated according to federal standards, and there are currently no test protocols designed to tune GenX.
What is Underwater Gen X?
Since GenX in water is a "water-loving chemical", it is difficult to extract as well as detect. For researchers trying to understand how GenX behaves underwater, this poses a very real problem, The GenX's chemical bonds are also very strong, making them resistant to the water treatment processes used to break down pollutants, providing a cleaner and safer water supply. Such practices have been successfully used to minimize or eliminate water pollution in water treatment plants. This makes it nearly impossible to properly filter relatively high levels of GenX in state-wide water services. This is a major concern for residents and businesses aware of the danger of GenX pollution.
GenX Pollution-How did GenX get into the water?
Studies have shown that GenX has been found at least three times in the Capefia River and the Capefia Utility waters since 2012. The average sample collected in 2013-14 was 631 ppt. At a recent meeting with local and state officials, a representative of DuPont's spin-off Chemers said the site of the Fayetteville plant, about 100 miles upstream from Wilmington, was a potential cause of GenX's water dumps.
The company also claims that it does not consider the GenX production project to be responsible and adheres to the 99% coverage limit set forth in the 2009 EPA Agreement. Therefore, they do not believe that this process will release GenX into the water at the construction site.
Instead, they believe that GenX contamination is the result of a vinyl ether process from another project on the property. Releases are not regulated because GenX created in this way is an unintentional by-product.
Is it safe to drink water contaminated with GenX?
There is no clear answer to this important question, as it is difficult to study the effects of GenX in the water.
How to Remove GenX from Water?
Homeowners consider reverse osmosis purification systems and granular activated carbon filters to remove GenX from water, as water treatment plants and other sources of water are unlikely to be able to incorporate ready-to-use options.
I highly recommend that. Please note that the water filter system for complete removal of GenXhas not yet been certified by the manufacturer. This does not mean that your existing system will not remove GenX, but that it has not been tested and certified to remove it. Therefore, reverse osmosis water purification and granular activated carbon filters are the best choices for homeowners to protect themselves if the operating organizations approve to it.