PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of persistent chemicals extensively utilized in both consumer and industrial products due to their remarkable Hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties. It is the robust carbon-fluorine bonds that imparts exceptional stability to PFAS compounds.

Despite their stability, the environmental persistence of PFAS and their potential implications for human health have raised escalating concerns. In response to the growing issue of PFAS-contaminated water sources, the use of activated carbon filters has emerged as a highly effective remediation method. Activated carbon, with its porous structure, exhibits the capacity to adsorb PFAS, effectively entrapping these substances and preventing their passage into the treated water.

Currently, the only method capable of destroying PFAS adsorbed on filters and facilitating their regeneration involves thermal treatment at temperatures exceeding 1000 °C. However, this thermal approach imposes significant economic and environmental burdens.

This study explores the feasibility of an alternative solution - high-energy electron beams (e-beam) - for treating contaminated carbon filters and enabling their regeneration. Additionally, it evaluates the impact of e-beam treatment on filter integrity post-irradiation.  The study presents preliminary results from  the tests conducted on water matrices and filter media, as well as an evaluation of irradiation by-products, aimed at identifying the most effective approach for this treatment modality. 

The use of e-beam for treating contaminated activated carbon filters emerges as a compelling alternative to conventional thermal methods, offering the prospect of minimizing environmental impact.