In a scientific breakthrough that could have major implications for environmental health and water safety, researchers have developed a new method to effectively destroy per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances commonly known as PFAS or “forever chemicals.”
PFAS are a group of synthetic compounds used for decades in products like nonstick cookware, waterproof clothing, firefighting foams, and food packaging. Their nickname, “forever chemicals,” stems from their extreme resistance to natural degradation. As a result, they accumulate in soil, drinking water, and even human bloodstreams where they have been linked to cancer, hormone disruption, immune system suppression, and developmental issues.
Now, after years of study and growing public concern, a team of chemists and environmental engineers has discovered a way to break down these stubborn molecules into harmless byproducts using a low-energy, scalable process involving ultraviolet light, a specialized catalyst, and mild heat.
“This is the first time we’ve been able to target the carbon-fluorine bond the strongest bond in organic chemistry at scale and at room temperature,” said Dr. Elena Marks, lead researcher at the National Environmental Science Laboratory. “What was once seen as virtually indestructible can now be neutralized in a controlled and cost-effective way.”
The team’s findings were published this week in the journal Nature Sustainability, and have already drawn interest from public utilities, chemical manufacturers, and environmental watchdog groups. The process, referred to as targeted photochemical defluorination, works by exposing contaminated water to ultraviolet light in the presence of a custom-engineered catalyst, which strips fluorine atoms from the PFAS compounds, rendering them inert.
Current methods of managing PFAS such as activated carbon filters and high temperature incineration either trap the chemicals rather than destroy them or pose risks of releasing toxic gases. The new approach could potentially be integrated into water treatment systems and remediation sites worldwide.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which recently tightened its regulations on PFAS levels in drinking water to nearly undetectable amounts, welcomed the research.
“This is a major development,” said EPA Administrator Janet Reid. “Our priority is ensuring that communities can protect themselves from PFAS exposure, and viable destruction technologies like this could be a game changer.”
However, scientists caution that the work is still in early stages and scaling the technology for widespread industrial use will take time and rigorous testing. Questions also remain about cost-effectiveness, byproduct safety, and long-term performance in varied environmental conditions.
Still, advocates for environmental justice say the discovery offers hope for communities that have long suffered from PFAS contamination, particularly near military bases, industrial zones, and firefighting training facilities.
“This breakthrough could finally bring relief to families who have been drinking poisoned water for years,” said Maria Lopez, director of Clean Earth Now, a nonprofit focused on chemical pollution. “We need rapid investment and deployment to stop the cycle of exposure.”
As the world continues to grapple with the lasting legacy of synthetic pollution, this research may mark a turning point in the effort to detoxify the environment and safeguard public health.
source: bbc.com