If/When
Sep 5, 2024
Navigating PFAS: Pioneering Solutions for a Healthier Tomorrow
Show contributors: Sharon Minchak, Russell Ford, Arthur Jones
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How are PFAS affecting your work and our world?
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances are a large class of long-lasting, synthetic chemicals used extensively in industrial and household products. Many PFAS don’t degrade readily on their own, and some are highly mobile in the environment. They can be found worldwide in water, soil, air, plants, animals and even our bloodstreams. We’re still uncovering the full impact of these chemicals on the health of humans and our environment, but here’s what is clear: it’s a complex challenge at scale to remediate these so-called “forever” chemicals.
Add fast-changing regulations in different geographies and regional differences to the scale and response to the PFAS challenge, and it all compounds the difficulty. The way forward requires a greater understanding of the risks and challenges of PFAS, but it’s just the start. We’ll need cross-sector collaboration and innovation to tackle these issues and apply the right measurement tools and technology.
Our guests for this episode are defining the solutions for clients and the industry at large: Sharon Minchak, Global Solutions Director for Remediation and Regeneration at Jacobs, and Dr. Russell Ford, Global Director for Drinking Water & Reuse Solutions at Jacobs.
Tune in to find out
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What are ‘forever’ chemicals — and why is the description misleading?
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How do we accurately assess what toxicity means to us and our environment?
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How is renewable energy a critical part of the solution?
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What lessons can we learn from previous toxic materials and manufacturing processes?
About our guests
Sharon Minchak serves as Jacobs’ Global Solutions Director for Remediation & Regeneration. She is a licensed Professional Geologist with a bachelor's in geosciences from Pennsylvania State University and a master's in earth and planetary Sciences from the University of New Mexico. Sharon has 30+ years of global experience serving a diverse set of government and private sector clients, working across all aspects of the Environmental market from planning and permitting, to regulatory compliance and sustainability, to investigation, remediation and regeneration.
Considered a leading subject matter expert in the Remediation & Regeneration space, Sharon has specific experience with emerging contaminant assessment, characterization, treatment and research across multiple sectors, including water, transportation, private and federal portfolios, and Superfund sites. Outside of work, Sharon loves cooking, gardening, hiking, camping and generally being outside. She’s a geologist by training and professionally, but also really enjoys visiting beautiful places with notable geologic features and great rocks!
Dr. Russell Ford is currently the Global Director for Drinking Water and Reuse Solutions for Jacobs. He has dedicated his 35+ year career to protecting public health and safety by advancing the field of drinking water treatment. His drinking water industry knowledge is acquired from his utility, consulting and academic experience. His experience covers a wide range of treatment process design, treatability testing and treatment plant startups. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering from Syracuse University and Master and PhD degrees in Environmental Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology. He is an AWWA Fuller Awardee. Dr. Ford is a licensed professional engineer and a board-certified environmental engineer.
Russell is currently overseeing the piloting of three surface water plants for the removal of PFAS as well as working to remove PFAS from groundwater systems and addressing water quality issues within water distribution systems. Russell is also an adjunct professor at Stevens Institute of Technology, where he teaches a variety of courses within the Civil, Ocean and Environmental Engineering Department. He is active in coaching and mentoring youth sports, music and scouting activities.
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About If/When
In Jacobs’ series of interviews with some of the industry’s leading subject matter experts, inspirational leaders and trailblazers, we pull back the curtain on some of the hottest topics and trends across critical infrastructure, climate resiliency, water, advanced manufacturing, energy transition, sustainability, technology and artificial intelligence. We unpack the innovation, core values and close collaboration between Jacobs and its relationships with clients, partners and the communities in which it serves. We explore how we’re building social value across all that we do to create digitally enabled, science-based and sustainable solutions that drive climate response and human wellness.