Eliminating PFAS with CRC CARE

THE PARLIAMENTARY inquiry into remediation of per-and poly-fluoroalkyl (PFAS) contamination on and around Defence bases will hear today from Professor Ravi Naidu, founding managing director and CEO of the Cooperative Research Centre for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment— CRC CARE.

Senator Sam McMahon, chair of the PFAS Sub-committee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, highlighted the CRC CARE’s innovative research work in partnership with the Department of Defence.

"CRC CARE conducts remediation of PFAS affected soil, surface water and groundwater at six different Defence sites. At RAAF Bases Edinburgh and Pearce the CRC’s matCARE technology has removed 99 percent of PFAS from nearly one million litres of contaminated waste water," Senator McMahon said.

The CRC’s matCARE technology uses modified clay in containerised mobile treatment plants for effective treatment in diverse locations. The CRC has also developed a suite of other matCARE products to immobilise PFAS and to address other environmental contaminants.

As well as funding from Defence to develop a solution for aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) contaminated waste water, the CRC has also successfully bid for extended funding under the government’s CRC program which supports excellence in research innovation.

Senator McMahon advised that the CRC engages with 29 other research participants, including several leading universities, the CSIRO and industry, on projects addressing PFAS and other co-contaminants associated with mining and other activities.

"With this work in progress PFAS affected communities can feel confident that results being achieved now will make a difference to their quality of life in future,"  Senator McMahon said.

CRC CARE’s submission (no. 19) to the PFAS inquiry into PFAS remediation is available on the inquiry site.

Public hearing details:

Date: Monday 9 November 2020
Time: ~3:40 m to 4:30pm
Location: Committee Room IR4, Parliament House, Canberra.
via teleconference

The hearing will be audio streamed live at aph.gov.au/live.

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