Emerging Contaminants in Soil: Why PFAS, Microplastics & Pharmaceuticals Demand a New Approach
Soil contamination has always posed risks to public health, groundwater, and the environment—but in recent years, the nature of those contaminants has changed. Beyond petroleum hydrocarbons, solvents, and heavy metals, today's sites increasingly contain PFAS, microplastics, pharmaceuticals, and mixtures of chemical compounds that behave in unpredictable ways.
These modern "emerging contaminants" require updated testing, specialized remediation technology, and expertise to manage safely and compliantly. For property owners, developers, and municipalities responsible for contaminated land, understanding these contaminants is the first step toward effective remediation.
What Are Emerging Contaminants?
Emerging contaminants are pollutants that either:
- Have only recently been recognized as threats, or
- Are newly detected thanks to advanced testing methods
Examples include:
- PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) – long-lasting "forever chemicals" found in firefighting foams and industrial products
- Pharmaceuticals – from improper disposal, manufacturing sites, hospital wastewater, and agricultural runoff
- Microplastics – fragments from consumer plastics, rubber, and synthetic fabrics
- Personal care product chemicals – sunscreens, fragrances, preservatives
- Mixed organic & inorganic contaminants – where chemicals interact and behave differently than when isolated
The challenge: these contaminants persist. They resist traditional cleanup, travel easily through soil, and pose long-term exposure risks.
Why These Contaminants Are Harder to Remediate
1. Persistence in the Environment
PFAS and microplastics don't break down naturally. Once they enter soil, they linger for decades.
2. Complex Chemical Interactions
When soils contain mixtures of metals, pharmaceuticals, and organic compounds, contaminants may bind to each other or behave unpredictably.
3. Advanced Testing Is Required
Traditional soil tests won't detect PFAS or many pharmaceuticals. Specialized lab analysis is needed.
4. Traditional Dig-and-Haul Isn't Always Enough
Excavation alone may not remove contamination fully, and for deep or widespread pollutants, it may not be feasible.
Modern Approaches to Address Emerging Soil Contaminants
Today's remediation strategies must be multi-layered, data-driven, and tailored to the contamination type. Depending on the site, solutions may include:
Advanced In-Situ Chemical Oxidation
Targets pharmaceuticals, PFAS precursors, and organic pollutants by breaking down contaminants underground.
Biological Treatment (Bioremediation)
Uses bacteria or plants to break down contaminants naturally.
Activated Carbon Soil Stabilization
Binds PFAS and prevents migration into groundwater.
Nanoremediation
Uses engineered nanoparticles to degrade contaminants at a molecular level.
Controlled Excavation & Disposal
Still essential when contaminants must be physically removed or are concentrated near the surface.
Why Proper Site Testing Is Critical
A remediation plan is only as good as the data behind it.
Before remediation, Enviro Care recommends:
- Full soil analysis (including PFAS panels)
- Groundwater sampling
- Soil vapor testing, if chemicals are volatile
- A contaminant fate & transport assessment
This ensures the selected remediation method is effective, compliant, and cost-efficient.
Emerging Contaminants Require an Experienced Environmental Partner
With the environmental landscape shifting, Utah businesses, municipalities, and property developers need a partner who understands both traditional contaminants and modern chemical threats.
Enviro Care's soil remediation and environmental response teams have the expertise, equipment, and certifications to manage emerging contaminants—including PFAS and other complex chemical mixtures—safely and compliantly.
If you suspect emerging contaminants on your site, contact Enviro Care for soil testing and a customized remediation plan that protects your property, your project, and the environment.