PFAS in biowaste. Development of a customised measurement method for the detection and validation of PFAS in biogenic waste streams

Funding: Österreichische Forschungsförderungsgesellschaft mbH (FFG), dissertation programme of Tyrolean universities; IKB (Innsbrucker Kommunalbetriebe AG)

Funding period: 01.03.2025 - 29.02.2028

Project description:

Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) are widely used in everyday products and industrial applications due to their chemical and thermal stability as well as their water, grease and dirt-repellent properties. At the same time, they are considered to be persistent, bioaccumulative and potentially toxic. In the area of waste management, PFAS are increasingly coming into focus as they have also been detected in biogenic waste streams such as kitchen and food waste, green waste and food contact materials. In biological treatment processes such as composting or fermentation, these substances cannot be degraded or only insufficiently so that they are released into the environment.

The aim of the dissertation project is to develop a robust and practical method for the quantitative analysis of PFAS in organic waste. The focus is on the optimisation of sample preparation and the use of suitable analytical methods for the detection of various PFAS. Based on this, the methods will be applied and validated on real input and output samples from biological treatment plants. In addition, potential sources of input are to be identified and the behaviour of PFAS along the process chain evaluated. The results will provide a sound basis for monitoring strategies, risk assessments and future legal regulations.

Project partners: Innsbrucker Kommunalbetriebe AG (IKB)