A person wearing rubber gloves takes a water sample from a natural body of water. PFAS, PFC.

PFAS – Forever Chemicals

PFAS pose a growing challenge to the environment and public health. We help you take early action and develop the right solution.

Practice Lead

Katja Amstätter

Contact Katja

PFAS Explained

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic, organic fluorinated compounds, formerly also referred to as PFCs (per- and polyfluorinated chemicals) or PFTs (perfluorinated surfactants). This group includes several thousand individual substances found in countless everyday items – from non-stick cookware in our kitchen to the water-repellent finish on our rain jackets. While PFAS serve a wide range of useful purposes in daily life, they pose one of the greatest challenges in the fields of water treatment and environmental remediation. CDM Smith develops tailored solutions for effectively managing PFAS contamination.

Why Are PFAS Problematic?

PFAS have water-, grease- and dirt-repellent properties, making them common in consumer products such as paper, textiles, paints, and firefighting foams.
Unlike many conventional organic pollutants, PFAS are extremely chemically stable, heat-resistant, and barely biodegradable due to their perfluorinated carbon chains. As a result, they are highly persistent, can accumulate in the environment and build up in the human body. Depending on their chain length, certain PFAS compounds can also be highly mobile, forming long contaminant plumes in groundwater – and have even been detected in the most remote corners of the world.

410+

PFAS Projects worldwide

Our Services at a Glance

PFAS are an increasing challenge for both the environment and public health. Advances in analytical methods, distribution, remediation techniques and the management of contaminated media demand flexible and tailored approaches. That is where we come in – helping you take early action with technical expertise and customised solutions. We guide you through the entire process – from environmental risk assessments and site investigations to remediation and property development.

Development of investigation strategies for contaminated sites
Risk assessments
Management of contaminated soil during construction projects
Development of treatment strategies for soil and groundwater
Design, installation and operation of large-scale PFAS treatment systems

PFAS characterisation in environmental media (screening measurements)
Modelling of PFAS distribution and transport
Feasibility studies and technical cost estimates for treatment options
Property assessments for acquisitions
Health and safety plans

Gloved hand holding test tube near a stream for water sampling.

Your Partner for Safe PFAS Solutions

CDM Smith supports you in developing the right PFAS solution.

Interdisciplinary Expertise

Our teams in geotechnics, environment, water and energy work closely together to develop integrated strategies that address complex PFAS contamination holistically.

Expertise in Soil Protection

As experts accredited under §18 of the German Federal Soil Protection Act (BBodSchG), we carry out appropriate site investigations and provide planning and supervision needed for remediation measures.

Internationale Erfahrung & innovative Verfahren

In collaboration with colleagues worldwide we bring cutting-edge expertise in advanced analysis, modelling as well as in-situ and ex-situ remediation technologies to our projects, delivering solutions at the forefront of research.

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Person in a dark suit and white shirt, with a patterned pocket square, against a light gray background.

Person wearing a dark suit jacket and white shirt, standing in front of a blurred background.

The long-term effects of PFAS are not yet fully understood. Although research is ongoing, only a fraction of these numerous substances can be studied in depth. Some findings suggest they may impair immune function, underscoring the need for early detection, realistic risk assessment and appropriate action.

Dr Katja Amstätter

Senior Consultant

PFAS remediation doesn’t follow a one-size-fits-all approach. Every project requires a unique assessment and a tailored solution.

Dr Klaus Röhler

PFAS Expert

PFAS remediation doesn’t follow a one-size-fits-all approach. Every project requires a unique assessment and a tailored solution.

For many years, we’ve worked with clients across diverse industries and understand the specific challenges of managing PFAS.

Dr Volker Schrenk

Division Manager

PFAS remediation doesn’t follow a one-size-fits-all approach. Every project requires a unique assessment and a tailored solution.

PFAS Case in Focus

Discover how CDM Smith tackles PFAS challenges with innovative strategies and proven project success.

Several airplanes at gates in Frankfurt Airport's Terminal 3, with terminal buildings and tarmac visible.

Frankfurt am Main

Frankfurt Airport Extension - New Terminal 3

For Frankfurt Airport’s Terminal 3, CDM Smith is responsible for ground investigation, construction supervision and PFAS soil management.

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Want to dive deeper?

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Insight

Environmental Pollutants Contaminate Ground and Groundwater: What to Do if PFAS Are Suspected

The group of PFAS, including over 4,000 individual substances, is globally widespread nowadays. Our contaminant expert Jörn Müller explains in this interview what organisations can do in case of suspected PFAS existence.