Advanced PFAS removal from impacted water streams using colloidal gas aphrons

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences awarded GSI Environmental Inc. $180,843 on August 1, 2026, under the NIEHS Superfund Hazardous Substances Basic Research and Education program (CFDA 93.143) to develop and validate an innovative water treatment technology using colloidal gas aphrons (CGAs) for removal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from contaminated water.

The project addresses a critical gap in PFAS remediation by targeting both long-chain and short-chain PFAS compounds that conventional technologies often fail to capture. CGAs are air-water-surfactant microscale structures that remove anionic PFAS through electrostatic attraction, operating at atmospheric pressure with superior short-chain PFAS removal compared to granular activated carbon or foam fractionation. The technology naturally concentrates PFAS into small liquid volumes for downstream destruction. The recipient's prior work demonstrated greater than 99 percent removal of key PFAS compounds including PFOS, PFOA, and PFHXS in a three-stage semi-batch system. This resubmission incorporated new data and revisions addressing reviewer concerns from a prior application cycle.

Work is performed in Houston, Texas, with a period of performance from August 1, 2026, through July 31, 2027. The award is structured as a Project Grant, a common mechanism under the NIEHS program for supporting basic research and development of technologies to detect and reduce hazardous substances within the scope of CERCLA and SARA.

Abstract

(resubmission - revised) this project aims to develop and validate an innovative water treatment technology using colloidal gas aphrons (cgas) for comprehensive removal of both long-chain and ultra/short- chain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from contaminated water. PFAS are persistent environmental pollutants linked to significant health risks, and current technologies often fail to adequately capture short-chain and precursor compounds, leaving a critical GAP in remediation strategies. Our technology uses positively charged cgas-microscale structures composed of air, water, and surfactant-that remove anionic PFAS via electrostatic attraction. In contrast to conventional approaches like granular activated carbon or foam fractionation, cgas operate under atmospheric pressure, offer superior short-chain PFAS removal, and naturally concentrate PFAS into small liquid volumes for downstream destruction. This resubmission incorporates new data and revisions that directly address reviewer concerns. Specifically, we have: • demonstrated >99% removal of key PFAS (including pfos, pfoa, pfhxs) in a three- stage semi-batch system. • shown that residual surfactant levels are