PFAS: New guidelines on disposal and destruction and impacts for the HVAC/R sector
New PFAS guidelines outline disposal and destruction methods, with implications for refrigeration and HVAC/R.
The topic of PFAS continues to evolve rapidly at the regulatory and technical levels, with increasingly significant implications for the HVAC/R and refrigeration sectors. These so-called "forever chemicals," known for their high persistence in the environment, require increasingly structured end-of-life management strategies.
In this context, the update of the guidelines by the US environmental agency represents an important step, offering operational indications on how to manage the destruction and disposal of materials containing PFAS.
Disposal and destruction: a risk-based approach
The new guidelines are based on a key principle: prioritizing technologies that present the lowest risk of releasing PFAS into the environment , evaluating the characteristics of the materials and the operating context on a case-by-case basis.
The document, updated in 2026, does not introduce binding obligations but provides a technical framework to support operators' decisions, underlining how the management of PFAS must take into account variables such as waste type, concentration, and local conditions .
This approach highlights a crucial aspect: there is no single solution, but rather a set of options to be evaluated based on the environmental and health risks.
The main technologies available today
The guidelines identify some solutions currently used for the management of PFAS, considered more effective in containing or reducing the risk of dispersion:
- heat treatment , with controlled operating conditions to ensure the destruction of the substances
- disposal in authorized landfills , equipped with advanced containment systems
- underground injection into dedicated wells , to isolate contaminated materials
These technologies, although already available, still present margins of uncertainty related to their long-term effectiveness, especially in terms of emissions and environmental impacts.
Impacts on refrigeration and plant management
For the HVAC/R sector, and in particular for refrigeration, these indications fit into an already complex context, characterized by the transition of refrigerants and the evolution of regulations on PFAS.
End-of-life management of materials and fluids is therefore becoming an increasingly central issue, not only from an environmental perspective, but also from an operational and regulatory one. The need to ensure traceability, proper disposal, and compliance extends throughout the entire supply chain, involving manufacturers, installers, and maintenance operators.
Looking ahead, PFAS management could also influence design choices, pushing towards solutions that simplify end-of-life treatment and reduce associated risks.
An evolving framework between research and regulation
The guidelines also highlight how the technological landscape is still evolving. Several questions remain regarding the effectiveness of destruction methods and their long-term impacts, necessitating ongoing knowledge updates.
For this reason, the importance of developing new methods, improving existing technologies, and collecting data to support increasingly informed decisions is emphasized.
The message for the HVAC/R industry is clear: managing PFAS is not just a regulatory issue, but a technical challenge that will impact the entire life cycle of systems.
Related Focus
FAQ
The new guidelines directly impact the end-of-life management of commercial, industrial, and air conditioning systems using fluorinated refrigerants containing PFAS. In applications such as large-scale retail trade, the food industry, and data centers, it is crucial to properly plan decommissioning, recovery, and fluid treatment operations, integrating solutions that facilitate the safe and compliant management of end-of-life refrigerants right from the design stage.
Managing PFAS requires complex and highly controlled processes, with advanced destruction technologies (e.g., high-temperature incineration) to prevent environmental release. From an operational standpoint, critical issues arise related to fluid traceability, material separation, and high operating costs. Furthermore, the lack of widespread infrastructure and uniform standards can make efficient management difficult, especially for large volumes of refrigerant.
Designers must adopt an end-of-life approach, selecting refrigerants and components that simplify future recovery and disposal operations. It is strategic to favor solutions with low or zero PFAS content, such as natural refrigerants, and to design systems that are easy to maintain and disassemble. Furthermore, it is essential to integrate leak monitoring systems and refrigerant management procedures that ensure regulatory compliance, reduce environmental risks, and optimize costs throughout the system's lifecycle.
