OLEOLOGY’S Paul Callaghan talks eradicating the complex problem of pfas in waste management review magazine
A recent report from PwC states the case for Australia to ‘go circular’ and wholly embrace sustainable solutions, finding that moves to do so would generate $1.9 trillion in economic benefit over the next 20 years.
As highlighted in this edition of Waste Management Review, fostering a truely circular economy requires effective solutions across material streams and sectors – from plastics and organics, to oily water and PFAS.
In this edition, Paul Callaghan, OLEOLOGY Director, explains how the company’s innovative technology can remove PFAS contaminants to below detectable levels, while bridging the gap between environmental regulation, communities and commercial interest.
Paul Callaghan and Saasha Callaghan of family-owned operation, OLEOLOGY, based in Perth, Western Australia
OLEOLOGY can remove PFAS contaminants to below detectable levels, while bridging the gap between environmental regulation, communities and commercial interest. Director Paul Callaghan explains.
In February last year, an in-principal settlement of $212.5 million was reached between the Federal Government and residents of three communities that had their groundwater contaminated by toxic firefighting foams containing PFAS used at defence bases until the early 2000s.
Documents released by the Federal Court showed that $92.5 million would be paid to residents of Katherine in the Northern Territory, with a further $86 million awarded to the community of Williamtown, NSW, and $34 million awarded to the people of Oakey in Queensland’s Darling Downs.
Similar PFAS actions have taken place across the world. In January this year, for example, DuPont, Chemours and Corteva chemical companies announced a cost-sharing agreement worth $4 billion to settle lawsuits involving the historic use of PFAS chemicals in the United States.
While this was welcome news to plaintiffs, ongoing clean-ups and the haunting health concerns of PFAS are far from settled. READ FULL STORY