The microplastics story is a particularly clean illustration of something I think about constantly: the act of measurement changes what you’re measuring. Every time a sample is collected, handled, transferred, stored, processed, and analyzed, there are opportunities to introduce error. Some of those errors elevate contaminant counts. Some suppress them. Protocol compliance reduces the risk, it does not eliminate it.
Category: Opinions
Greg’s opinions – these are mine alone, and do not reflect the opinion of anyone else unless explicitly stated otherwise
Are PFAS really “Forever” Chemicals?
The problem is that policy built on rhetorical shortcuts tends to produce blunt instruments. And when the instruments are blunt and the underlying science is nuanced, the compliance burden falls indiscriminately while actual risk reduction is uneven. That is where we are with PFAS regulation right now, and the water treatment industry, which sits at the intersection of PFAS as a contamination problem and PFAS as a chemistry used in treatment equipment, has more at stake in getting this right than almost any other sector.
TFA – is the risk real?
TFAs are here forever. Short term risks seem minimal. The long-term picture is murkier and more concerning. TFA’s extreme persistence (no natural degradation in terminal sinks like oceans or deep aquifers) means accumulation is effectively irreversible. Sticking with TFA-forming refrigerants locks in decades of accumulation for short-term gains in global warming potential (GWP).
Rethinking Forever Chemicals
While the phrase “forever chemicals” captures attention, it does not accurately reflect the chemical diversity or biochemical behavior of PFAS as a class. The phrase succeeded in raising awareness. But the future of PFAS management belongs to science-driven nuance, not oversimplification.
2027 EU Harmonization Impact
The 2027 EU Harmonization represents more than just a regulatory shift—it’s a call to action for the water filtration industry to evolve.
By prioritizing health, transparency, and sustainability, the new rules will not only protect consumers but also push the industry toward meaningful innovation.
April 2025 Pentair Pricing
Pentair has assessed the cost impact of the United States’ recent tariff increases on goods imported from multiple countries. These impacts include finished goods as well as raw materials. As a result, Pentair will be implementing three price adjustments.