Strategies for health protection, pollution Control and Elimination of Next generAtion RefractIve Organic chemicals from the Soil, vadose zone and water

Project Information

SCENARIOS

Grant agreement ID: 101037509

DOI

10.3030/101037509

Project closed

EC signature date 2 September 2021

Start date 1 November 2021

End date 30 April 2026

Funded under

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Climate action, Environment, Resource Efficiency and Raw Materials

Total cost

€ 11 985 716,25

EU contribution

€ 11 985 716,25

Coordinated by

UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DEL PIEMONTE ORIENTALE AMEDEO AVOGADRO
Italy

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - SCENARIOS (Strategies for health protection, pollution Control and Elimination of Next generAtion RefractIve Organic chemicals from the Soil, vadose zone and water)

Reporting period: 2023-05-01 to 2024-10-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The SCENARIOS project, funded under the Zero Pollution Topic 8.1 of the Green Deal, focuses on addressing the pollution caused by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in soil, vadose zone, and water. PFAS are persistent and toxic chemicals widely used in industrial and consumer products, posing significant risks to human health and the environment. The project aims to develop comprehensive technological solutions for detection, monitoring, risk assessment, pollution control, and remediation of PFAS. PFAS contamination in water sources, soil, and air is a global issue with detrimental effects on ecosystems and human health. The project emphasizes the need for toxicological research to understand the impacts of PFAS exposure and guide effective risk management strategies. While certain PFAS compounds are being regulated and phased out in some regions, there are still knowledge gaps regarding their toxicology and potential alternatives. Robust toxicological studies are crucial for evidence-based regulations, establishing safe exposure limits, and developing less harmful alternative chemicals. Conventional remediation methods for PFAS are often ineffective, highlighting the need for innovative approaches informed by advancements in PFAS toxicology research. The SCENARIOS project focuses on the development of efficient and cost-effective remediation technologies that consider PFAS behavior, fate, and associated risks. It aims to develop cutting-edge technologies for detection, quantification, control, and remediation of PFASs in different environmental compartments. The project also seeks to develop solutions for pollution control and remediation of PFAS-contaminated drinking water, agricultural soils, and groundwater, aligning with principles of green chemistry, sustainability, and circular economy. Additionally, SCENARIOS aims to improve human health and ecosystem protection by building a detailed knowledge base on PFAS impacts and exposure. This will be achieved through a cross-toxicological approach, integrating molecular systems biology, toxicogenomics, phenotypic screening, bioinformatics, and cheminformatics. The project has three specific goals: implementing a rapid and accurate method for PFAS detection, expanding the environmental risk assessment framework for non-regulated PFAS and mixtures, and developing integrated technical and biological remediation strategies. The SCENARIOS project aims to demonstrate its solutions in various industrial and public health settings to promote contaminant remediation and health monitoring, aligning with the goals of the Green Deal.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

This report summarizes the achievements of the SCENARIOS project in its first 36 months, focusing on three core areas: smart detection of PFAS, PFAS toxicology, and quasi zero-energy PFAS remediation. SCENARIOS aligns with the European Green Deal and contributes to the Green Deal Working Group Health, reflecting its commitment to tackling PFAS pollution in soil, water, and the vadose zone.
Substantial progress has been made in developing sensitive detection systems. Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) achieved a detection limit of 5 ppt for both long- and short-chain PFAS, fulfilling a key Scientific and Technological Objective (STO1). Electrochemical microsensors, capable of detecting PFAS in the ppb range, offer a complementary approach. Both technologies are currently at Technology Readiness Level 3 (TRL 3), and the next project phase focuses on scaling up at least one platform for demonstration at DEMO site 1 in the Alessandria region of Italy.
From a toxicological perspective, SCENARIOS employs a systems toxicology framework that integrates physiomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic data. More than 30 PFAS congeners have been tested in 2D and 3D human cell models, revealing a molecular fingerprint converging on the retinoid X receptor (RXR) pathway, which links organ-level toxicity and immunological effects. Meanwhile, physiologically based kinetic (PBK) modeling has been introduced to correlate in vitro hazard data with in vivo exposure conditions, enhancing the real-world relevance of these findings.
Under the quasi zero-energy remediation pillar, the project is developing and validating innovative, energy-efficient techniques. At the Korsør demonstration site in Denmark, Surface Active Foam Fractionation (SAFF) successfully removed short-chain PFAS from groundwater, and cold plasma destruction of PFAS—validated at TRL 3—is slated for demonstration in Sweden and Spain, targeting landfill leachate and drinking water.
By conducting rigorous life cycle and cost assessments, SCENARIOS aims to ensure that emerging technologies are both sustainable and economically viable. Exploitation and industrialization activities, supported by the Horizon Results Booster, expedite the transition of key enabling technologies from proof-of-concept to market deployment. A robust dissemination strategy has publicized SCENARIOS’ developments on scientific, educational, and commercial platforms, thus fostering collaboration and raising awareness of the project’s contributions to PFAS detection, toxicity assessment, and remediation.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The SCENARIOS project advances beyond the current state of PFAS research by pioneering innovative detection strategies, integrating non-animal and in silico toxicology within next-generation risk assessment, and offering sustainable, leading-edge remediation solutions. By coupling these multifaceted approaches, the project aims to achieve impactful results that will significantly enhance our understanding and management of PFAS.
The work program outlines several expected impacts of the project. These include:

1. Foundation for prevention and mitigation solutions:
- Understanding the sources and distribution of targeted chemicals.
- Models of environmental fate and degradation pathways.
- Awareness of the relevance of emerging and persistent pollution for human and environmental health.

2. Addressing large-scale contamination of water and soil:
- Developing a tailored Decision Support System for PFAS.
- Supporting integrated management and remediation.
- Improving monitoring and addressing persistent and mobile chemicals.

3. Contributing to a toxic-free environment:
- Exploring advanced technologies for detection and remediation.
- Developing real-time monitoring approaches.
- Minimizing the presence of harmful substances.

4. Improving risk assessment and management:
- Developing tools and models for better risk assessment.
- Enhancing hazard and risk assessment approaches.
- Supporting optimal risk management strategies.

5. Supporting policy development, regulatory action, and risk communication:
- Ensuring compliance with FAIR data standards.
- Providing regulatory-relevant data.
- Aligning with EU documents on persistent and mobile chemicals.

The project also aims to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, such as zero hunger, sustainable water management, clean energy, and climate action.

The project's impact extends to society, the environment, and health. It aims to reduce costs and risks associated with PFAS contamination, raise public awareness of PFAS threats, provide knowledge and technologies for remediation and biomonitoring, improve access to water resources, enhance skills through training, and disseminate knowledge.

Scenarios teams in action at PFAS contaminated site in Sweden (Trelleborg, DEMO2)