PFAS Leaching From Industrial Cooling Tower Drift Eliminators

Water Contamination Lawsuit News

Industrial cooling towers may release PFAS into blowdown water when treated plastic drift eliminators degrade under heat and chemical exposure

Tuesday, March 10, 2026 - Industrial cooling towers are widely used at manufacturing plants, power stations, data centers, and large commercial buildings to regulate heat generated by equipment. These systems circulate water through tall towers where heat is released through evaporation. Inside the towers are components called drift eliminators, which are designed to capture tiny droplets of water that would otherwise escape into the air. These devices are typically made from durable plastics engineered to withstand moisture, temperature fluctuations, and chemical treatment used to prevent corrosion and biological growth. Environmental researchers have recently begun examining whether some drift eliminator materials contain fluorinated additives that may release PFAS as the plastic ages and degrades. PFAS Water Contamination Lawyers say this potential pathway is gaining attention because cooling towers operate continuously and process enormous volumes of water each day. Leading Attorneys for Water Contamination Cancer Claims note that even trace chemical releases can become significant over time when they occur in systems that discharge thousands of gallons of water daily.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, PFAS chemicals are frequently used in industrial materials because they provide resistance to heat, water, and chemical damage. The agency has also documented that PFAS compounds are extremely persistent once they enter water systems and are not easily removed by conventional wastewater treatment methods. In cooling tower systems, circulating water is periodically discharged through a process known as blowdown. Blowdown helps remove minerals and contaminants that accumulate in the water during operation. If PFAS-containing materials are present inside the tower, such as treated plastics or coatings, small particles or residues may enter the circulating water and eventually leave the system through blowdown discharge. That water is often routed to municipal wastewater treatment plants or industrial discharge systems. Environmental monitoring has shown that cooling tower blowdown can carry a mixture of chemicals used for water treatment, and researchers are increasingly studying whether PFAS from system components could also be present in those wastewater streams.

The long operating life of cooling towers means that internal components can remain in service for many years, gradually wearing down under constant heat, chemical exposure, and mechanical stress. Drift eliminators are designed to capture water droplets efficiently, but they may become brittle or break apart after prolonged use. When that occurs, small fragments of plastic or coating materials may enter the water circulation system. Facility operators may replace these parts during routine maintenance, but the materials that are removed are typically discarded as industrial waste. Some engineers and equipment suppliers are now exploring alternatives that rely on PFAS-free polymers or different manufacturing methods to achieve durability without fluorinated additives.

Industrial cooling tower drift eliminators serve an important role in controlling water loss and improving system efficiency, but their materials may represent a previously overlooked pathway for PFAS contamination. As researchers continue to study sources of persistent chemicals in wastewater, components inside cooling towers are receiving increased scrutiny. Improving material transparency, adopting safer alternatives, and monitoring cooling tower discharge could help reduce the risk that these widely used industrial systems contribute to long-term water contamination.

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