PFAS Conference to examine risks and remediation
Conference to examine PFAS risks and remediation to help fire managers
- PFAS challenge discussed by leading scientists
- Evidence of successful remediation on construction sites to be discussed
- Leading figures to examine ongoing studies to tackle the problem
Leading figures from industry and science will be discussing how fire managers and construction leaders the growing challenge posed by land contaminated by PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ is being tackled at a conference in April.
The PFAS Conference: Issues to Explore & Solutions (sponsored by SOCOTEC) will be hosted by the National Brownfield Institute (NBI) at the University of Wolverhampton and land remediation company ATG Group.
It will take place on World Earth Day, April 22, and is expected to attract delegates from across the UK environmental and construction sector.
Often referred to as ‘forever chemicals’, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have become a significant concern due to their persistence in the environment and their links to adverse human health effects.
Originally developed in the 1940s for their chemical stability, water and oil repellence, surfactant properties and resistance to heat, PFAS were widely used in products such as non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing and firefighting foams (AFFF).
More than two decades ago, growing evidence began to highlight the environmental and public health impacts of these substances. Their resistance to natural degradation has since resulted in widespread contamination, presenting complex challenges for landowners, developers and regulators — particularly on brownfield sites.
The one-day conference will bring together environmental consultants, remediation contractors, lawyers, insurers, technology providers and academics, alongside representatives from regulatory bodies.
They will be tackling two fundamental questions: how big is the PFAS problem, and what practical solutions are now emerging?
Recent advances in investigation methods, treatment technologies and remediation strategies mean PFAS is no longer viewed solely as an intractable issue. The conference will examine these developments through a combination of scientific insight, regulatory perspective and real-world project experience.
Among the speakers will be Dr David Megson and Professor Patrick Byrne, both of whom featured in a BBC Panorama programme on PFAS last year, alongside a wider panel of experts from universities, Dr Paul Nathanail (LQM), industry and specialist technology providers.
Dr Paul Hampton, of the National Brownfield Institute, said:
“Awareness of PFAS and its impact on public health and the environment is increasing rapidly. Many of these chemicals were historically used here in the West Midlands and across the UK, meaning PFAS has become an emerging contaminant group that presents real challenges for brownfield redevelopment.
“This conference is about sharing knowledge — helping those involved in land management and development better understand the science, the risks and the solutions, so that contaminated land can be responsibly brought back into beneficial use. It forms part of our wider Transform Land agenda, which focuses on addressing complex land contamination issues through collaboration.”
The event is being jointly organised with ATG Group, which is currently involved in PFAS investigation and remediation projects at sites across the UK.
Duncan Sanders, Director and PFAS Lead at ATG Group, said:
“From the number of enquiries we are getting, we know that PFAS is increasingly being encountered across a wide range of sites, and addressing it effectively requires collaboration across disciplines — from science and regulation through to practical delivery.
“We are pleased to be working with the National Brownfield Institute to bring together experienced voices from across the sector on World Earth Day. The aim is to encourage open discussion, share emerging best practice and help build a clearer, more coordinated response to what is a significant environmental challenge.”
The conference will provide a valuable opportunity for learning, discussion and professional networking, bringing together some of the leading thinking currently shaping the UK’s response to PFAS contamination.
To book to attend the conference, visit trybooking events.
For more information please visit ATG Group webiste.