UV PFAS Destruction

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances are persistent and challenging to treat. Their strong carbon-fluorine bonds resist conventional water and waste processes, which is why many utilities, industries, and public agencies are moving beyond capture-only approaches and prioritizing true PFAS destruction. We combine proven PFAS destruction technologies with integrated system design to destroy PFAS in water, wastewater, and complex waste streams, helping customers meet performance goals, control costs, and demonstrate compliance.

How To Destroy PFAS Using UV Technology

Where Is PFAS Found?

PFAS are found in AFFF, textiles, nonstick coatings, metal plating, semiconductors, and paper treatments, and they reach water through industrial discharges, training areas, landfills, and biosolids. Regulations are tightening, and customers are asking a simple question: how to permanently destroy PFAS and verify its destruction. Our answer starts with ultraviolet reactions that target the toughest bonds.

How UV-Based Chemistry Destroys PFAS

Our UV technology uses high-energy photons to activate photocatalytic reagents and cleave C-F bonds. Based on the site conditions and PFAS profile, specialized blends of photocatalysts are prepared to generate reactive radical species capable of achieving complete (>99%) destruction of PFAS, with complete fluoride mass balance.

Our UV technology is capable of:

Generating oxidizing radicals (hydroxyl, sulfate) that transform precursors and support defluorination for select compounds.
Initiating and driving photoreductive pathways which produce hydrated electrons, allowing for the direct cleavage of C-F bonds regardless of PFAS class
Maintaining complete PFAS destruction in complex matrix conditions, and from low (ng/L) to high (g/L) PFAS concentrations

The characterization of total detectable PFAS and subsequent destruction present in AFFF rinsate.

In real systems, PFAS treatment technology is most efficient when UV is applied to concentrated streams produced by ion exchange, foam fractionation, reverse osmosis, or membrane distillation. Concentrate first, then destroy PFAS in brines, regenerants, and other side streams to minimize energy use per mass destroyed and simplify verification.

Our UV-Activated Photochemical Process

How Our Process Destroys Over 99% PFAS

Through our Internal Research and Development program, we developed a UV-activated photochemical process to destroy PFAS across various liquid matrices. Bench and pilot testing show greater than 99.99% PFAS reduction in groundwater, landfill leachate, wastewater, and sorbent regenerants. In the Innovative Solutions Canada Phase 1 program, the process achieved greater than 99% PFAS destruction with 98–106% recovery of inorganic fluoride, demonstrating closure of the fluorine mass balance and full conversion to fluoride.

Application To AFFF Rinsates

We’ve also applied the process to AFFF-impacted rinsates with high organic fluorine levels (73 ± 3 mg/L). Third-party testing, supported by our in-house analyses, confirmed a reduction of organic fluorine to less than 0.025 mg/L within hours, greater than 99.9996% destruction, with fluoride mass balance closure of approximately 100% ± 5%. For organizations asking how to get rid of PFAS in challenging rinsates, these results offer a clear path forward.

The destruction of PFOS achieved with Parsons’ first flow-through reactor prototype.

The destruction of PFOS achieved with Parsons’ second flow-through reactor prototype.

From Prototype To Field Deployment

Flow-Through UV Reactors

We engineered compact, flow-through reactors to make destroying PFAS with UV practical in the field:

Prototype (2024): A lightweight, compact reactor for integration into existing wastewater systems. Using LC-MS/MS and total fluorine analysis, this prototype achieved sustained, continuous-flow destruction, with over 90% of PFOS converted to inorganic fluoride.
Prototype (2025): A next-generation design optimized for deployment. It operates as a stand-alone unit or within a treatment train, with modular reactors that scale capacity and allow tunable chemistry. Using the same analytics, we’ve demonstrated greater than 99% PFAS destruction with complete fluoride mass balance closure and no accumulation of partial transformation products.

Our team is integrating this PFAS treatment technology with established capture systems to drive throughput and lower lifecycle costs. Scaled systems are planned for client sites beginning in late 2026.

Performance Across Matrices And Co-Contaminants

The process is designed for real-world conditions. High PFAS destruction rates are maintained in the presence of common inorganics, including chloride (~24 g/L NaCl), sulfate (96 g/L Na2SO4), phosphate (16 g/L Na3PO4), and carbonate (~27 g/L Na2CO3). While baseline operation is sensitive to humic substances (50 mg/L), nitrates (850 mg/L as NaNO3), and certain dissolved metals (e.g., 1.3 g/L Cu2+), we’ve developed strategies to mitigate these effects. The system remains robust with PFAS-adjacent organics such as butyl carbitol and fuels following fire suppression; PFOS destruction exceeded 99% even at 80 g/L butyl carbitol and saturated gasoline/diesel concentrations.

Destruction follows first-order decay kinetics, supporting predictable design across a wide concentration range. While best suited for concentrated wastes, the technology can also reduce low concentrations (below 1 µg/L) to under 5 ng/L.

The extent of PFAS destruction in the presence of common organic and inorganic co-contaminants.

Integrated Systems, Compliance, And Verification

Effective PFAS remediation technologies account for variable chemistry, short- and long-chain species, and matrix effects such as alkalinity, natural organic matter, and halides. We design integrated solutions that pair capture with PFAS destruction technologies to balance performance and cost:

Concentrate first, using ion exchange, foam fractionation, reverse osmosis, or membrane distillation, then destroy PFAS in brines, concentrates, or regenerants via UV, electrochemical, or thermal steps as appropriate.
Apply real-time controls to tune UV fluence and reagent dosing using online monitoring, ensuring high mineralisation while minimising chemical use.

Rate of PFAS Destruction separated by PFCAs.

This UV technology achieves complete destruction of PFAS in the liquid phase, avoiding the generation of fluorinated intermediates and allowing for complete fluoride mass balance.

We emphasize transparent mass balance. That means measuring influent PFAS, tracking captured streams, verifying defluorination through inorganic fluoride, and confirming that regulated by-products remain below discharge and air permit limits. Our teams support permitting, residuals management, and reporting aligned with Department of Defense, EPA, and state guidance for on-site destruction. Bench and pilot programs provide verifiable metrics such as destruction rates, energy per gram of PFAS, and fluoride yield, so customers can evaluate options confidently.

Rate of PFAS Destruction separated by PFSAs.

Rate of PFAS Destruction separated by fluorotelomers/perfluoroethers.

Rate of PFAS Destruction separated by PFSAs.

The destruction of 1,4-dioxane, 1,2,3-TCP, and 6:2 FTS in wastewater using a multi-phase UV oxidation/reduction.

Dive Deeper: Reductive Defluorination Of PFAS Using A UV Photochemical Reactor

Breaking the "Forever" Cycle with Catalyzed UV

How do we solve the problem of "forever chemicals" without simply moving the waste from one place to another? In this presentation, we dive into our approach to PFAS destruction using Catalyzed UV technology.

What You’ll Learn:

The Problem with "Removal": Why secondary waste streams are a major hurdle in PFAS remediation.
The Catalyzed UV Approach: How a synergistic combination of UV light, iodide, and sulfite under alkaline conditions creates a powerful reducing environment.
The Science of Destruction: How reducing radicals, specifically the aqueous electron, facilitates the breakdown of PFAS into harmless components.
Proven Results: Evidence of complete PFAS destruction through inorganic fluoride recovery, even in complex water matrices containing salts, metals, and organic co-contaminants.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

Where is UV most effective for PFAS destruction?

Do UV processes fully mineralize PFAS?

Can UV handle mixed PFAS?

What proof of performance is available?

Baseline proof of this technology's performance can be found in this webinar. In-depth details can be provided upon request. When evaluating Parsons’ technology for client-specific sites, we conduct bench-scale evaluations. We also document PFAS destruction, defluorination, treatment rates, energy consumption, chemical usage, and overall mass balance closure. Results are validated through in-house and third-party accredited analytical laboratories to ensure the technology is meeting permitting requirements.

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