Tackling PFAS 'Uncharted Territory' For Global Water Industry “We are in uncharted territory: trying to find contaminants which may not yet have regulations controlling them,” says Carol Walczyk, vice president for water quality and compliance at Suez North America. The impact of emerging contaminants, and in particular polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), on watercourses and public health was the theme of the latest Water Action Platform webinar, which took place on 21 January 2021. The event explored research and technologies addressing PFAS chemicals, man-made compounds found in many consumer products, in particular fabrics, cleaning products, paints and fire-fighting foams. Their ability to remain intact for long periods of time means that PFAS levels can build up significantly in the environment.