David Nadler is a research faculty member in the College of Engineering and Computing Sciences at New York Institute of Technology. He joined the university after a long tenure as a director within the New York City Department of Environmental Protection and holds professional certifications in sustainability and occupational health and safety. In addition to his expertise in environmental sustainability, he has conducted research on ways to safely break down PFAS, commonly known as “forever chemicals,” which have been in use for decades and are found in common products, including water-resistant fabrics and stain-resistant carpeting.
A Newsday article reports that an environmental consultant has filed plans with the state Department of Environmental Conservation to study the extent of PFAS (or forever) chemicals in the soil and groundwater at Long Island MacArthur Airport. The investigation would determine the extent of contamination as well as any potential impacts.
Forbes interviewed environmental health expert David Nadler, Ph.D., research assistant professor, about a new treatment technique that uses activated carbon to prevent “forever chemicals” (PFAS) from contaminating groundwater.
“(PFAS) just might be one of the ingredients in the recipe of all of these other chemical mixtures that we're inhaling, or that may be in small quantities, in our water supply and with clothing, as well,” Nadler says.
“Treating something at the source is better than pulling something out of the source and trying to treat it,” Nadler says. “It just takes a really long time” to pump, treat and truck away contaminants. “By the time you notice results, you can have generations of people that are exposed.”