How much are we willing to spend on PFAS & what does that investment achieve?

In this webinar, Matthew Askeland unpacked insights from an upcoming paper, exploring the true cost of PFAS management through a set of practical metrics for soil remediation that cut through the noise of proxy measures and cost per treated ton.

The costs were placed into a broader risk context, comparing PFAS expenditure with other contamination related challenges, illustrated using real-world case studies. Building on findings from his team’s 2025 SETAC Special Series publication (Efficiency assessment of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances immobilization for large volumes of diffuse contaminated soil at airports), Matthew turned to the realities of on-the-ground PFAS management: where active intervention is justified, which tools genuinely support good decisions, and how robust QA/QC frameworks can ensure that actions deliver measurable value.

The session followed the full decision arc from “should we remediate or manage PFAS?”, to “how far should we go?”, to “which technologies and validation measures provide confidence that outcomes align with objectives?” Key themes included: Practical cost and performance metrics for PFAS management New and emerging approaches shaping the field Technology demonstrations: portable PFAS detection, sorbent-blending QA tests, sorbent selection and bench trials, PFAS-in-dust monitoring, passive samplers, and ADE’s “IMPACTS” multi-line-of-evidence immobilisation validation framework.