PFAS

PFAS: the invisible threat – what construction companies need to know today

For decades, they have been present in our soil, our water and our bodies, often without our knowledge: PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. What sets them apart from other pollutants is their near-indestructible carbon-fluorine bond. Scientists have coined a fitting name for them: “forever chemicals”.

Where do PFAS come from?

Since the 1940s, PFAS have been used in hundreds of everyday products: non-stick cookware, technical clothing, cosmetics and food packaging. Once released into the environment, they do not break down – they seep into groundwater, accumulate in soil and work their way up the food chain into our bodies, where they build up over the years.

A particular challenge: construction sites

Building on contaminated ground means taking on responsibility. Water pumped from polluted sites can contain high concentrations of PFAS and must never be discharged without prior treatment. Legal requirements in Switzerland are steadily tightening. Specialised water treatment installations – based on activated carbon processes or membrane filtration – are now regarded as the most effective solution, both for purifying and reusing construction site water.

The water protection department team at Avesco Rent works with you to develop a treatment solution tailored precisely to your contamination level, your site and your timeline – planned and delivered end-to-end by our experts.

Is your construction site water contaminated with PFAS? Avesco Rent offers treatment solutions directly on your site.

Why are PFAS so dangerous?

According to current research, certain PFAS compounds are suspected of weakening the immune system, disrupting thyroid function and increasing the risk of cancer. Since they do not break down in soil or in the body, contamination advances silently and invisibly.

To find out more:
SRF Einstein (Documentary) → Watch the video
FOEN (Environment) → read the article
FSVO (Food) → read the article