Sustainable PFAS Removal from Electronics Wastewater through a Cost-Health Trade-Off Framework
Bingzheng Wang1, Fengqi You1,2,3,4
1College of Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States.
Environmental Science & Technology
|February 6, 2026
Summary
The electronics industry faces significant per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) wastewater risks. Treating PFAS emissions by 2035 could cost billions, but is vital for public health protection.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Public Health
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Rapid growth in electronics and semiconductor manufacturing leads to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) emissions.
- PFAS in wastewater pose significant human health risks and environmental burdens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct the first trade-off analysis between PFAS wastewater treatment costs and health benefits in the electronics and semiconductor sectors.
- To benchmark these treatment costs against market values and assess economic implications.
Main Methods:
- Projected PFAS discharge volumes and associated human toxicity units (CTUh) by 2035.
- Estimated annual investment costs for granular activated carbon (GAC), ion-exchange resin (IER), and reverse osmosis (RO) membrane treatments.
- Analysis of breakthrough performance variations and their impact on economic and environmental burdens.
Main Results:
- By 2035, projected PFAS wastewater discharge is 4.4-10.9 kilotons annually, with an estimated 25-103 million CTUh in human toxicity without treatment.
- Annual treatment costs are estimated at $16.5-50.0 billion, representing approximately 0.5% of the electronics market value for IER.
- Short-chain PFAS in electronics wastewater limit removal efficiency, amplifying economic and environmental burdens.
Conclusions:
- Quantifying the cost-health nexus of PFAS in electronics manufacturing provides actionable insights for governance.
- Urgent, globally coordinated efforts are needed to balance industrial growth with environmental and public health protection.
- Effective PFAS wastewater management is crucial for sustainable technological advancement.
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