The lucrative business of cleaning up ‘forever chemicals’

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on the Financial Times or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Government efforts to reduce harmful “forever chemicals” (PFAS) in drinking water could significantly boost profits for water utilities and their investors
• Companies like Veolia and Clean Harbors are positioned to benefit from the growing demand for PFAS removal solutions

🔭 The context: PFAS, which do not break down naturally, are increasingly found in humans and the environment
• These chemicals pose health risks, including lowered immune responses and liver damage.
• The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has adopted stringent new standards for PFAS in drinking water, driving demand for treatment solutions

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Effective removal of PFAS is crucial for public health and environmental safety
• As regulations tighten, the need for innovative water treatment technologies will grow, providing a significant opportunity for companies in this sector

⏭️ What's next: With the new EPA regulations, up to 6,000 public drinking water providers in the US may need to install treatment systems to comply
• The market potential for PFAS removal in the US is estimated to be $250 billion

💬 One quote: “These stringent new standards will require many utilities to install treatment to come into compliance,” said Carsten Prasse, assistant professor for environmental health and engineering at Johns Hopkins University

📈 One stat: Veolia, the world’s largest water company, sees PFAS removal as a growing market opportunity in the US, driven by the new EPA standards

Click for more news covering the latest on pollution