Scientists have discovered a revolutionary way to purify drinking water using common household items to remove harmful “forever chemicals,” offering an accessible solution to a widespread health concern.
At a Glance
- PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are persistent environmental pollutants found in drinking water that are linked to serious health issues including liver damage and cancer
- Conventional water treatment methods are largely ineffective at removing these “forever chemicals” from drinking water
- Researchers have developed multiple innovative approaches, including a natural solution using silk and cellulose that effectively removes PFAS from water
- A 2019 study found that 98% of Americans had PFAS in their bloodstream, highlighting the widespread exposure to these chemicals
- New technologies aim to not only remove but also destroy PFAS, converting the waste into valuable materials
The Growing Threat of PFAS Contamination
PFAS are synthetic chemicals used in numerous consumer products from non-stick cookware to waterproof clothing. Their persistence in the environment has earned them the ominous nickname “forever chemicals,” as they don’t break down naturally and accumulate in soil, water, and even the human body. These substances have been linked to serious health concerns including liver damage, thyroid disease, obesity, fertility issues, and various forms of cancer. The widespread contamination presents a significant public health challenge that conventional water treatment methods have struggled to address.
“More than 200 million Americans in all 50 states are affected by PFAS in drinking water, with 1,400 communities having levels above health experts’ safety thresholds,” according to Yongsheng Chen, a researcher involved in developing solutions for PFAS removal.
In response to growing concerns, the European Union has established strict limits for PFAS in drinking water: 0.5 µg/l for total PFAS and 0.1 µg/l for individual PFAS compounds. Water suppliers must comply with these standards by 2026, creating urgency for effective removal technologies. In the United States, similar concerns have prompted increased attention to PFAS contamination, with data showing nearly all Americans have measurable levels of these chemicals in their bodies.
Innovative Solutions Using Natural Materials
Among the most promising breakthroughs is a material developed by researchers at MIT using silk and cellulose. This natural solution effectively removes PFAS from water while also filtering out heavy metals and providing antimicrobial benefits. Unlike synthetic alternatives that often rely on more chemicals to address problems caused by chemicals, this approach uses entirely natural components to tackle the contamination issue.
“Contamination by PFAS and similar compounds is actually a very big deal, and current solutions may only partially resolve this problem very efficiently or economically. That’s why we came up with this protein- and cellulose-based, fully natural solution,” explains Yilin Zhang, one of the researchers.
This innovation stands out for its simplicity and potential accessibility. Initially, the material could be used in point-of-use filters for individual households before potentially scaling up to municipal systems. The researchers believe this approach could break the cycle of using synthetic materials to address problems created by synthetic chemicals in the first place.
Advanced Technologies for PFAS Destruction
While capturing PFAS is an important first step, it creates another problem: what to do with the concentrated waste. Researchers at Rice University and the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center have developed a method called flash joule heating (FJH) that not only removes PFAS but also destroys them. This process achieves over 96% defluorination efficiency and can remove 99.98% of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a common PFAS compound.
“Our method doesn’t just destroy these hazardous chemicals; it turns waste into something of value,” says James Tour, a researcher involved in the FJH process.
The FJH technology converts PFAS waste into valuable carbon-based materials including graphene, carbon nanotubes, and nanodiamonds. This dual-purpose approach offers a promising solution that addresses both the removal and disposal challenges associated with PFAS contamination. The process is scalable and potentially cost-effective, offering a comprehensive approach to the PFAS problem.
The Role of Artificial Intelligence in PFAS Removal
Machine learning is emerging as another powerful tool in the fight against PFAS contamination. A multi-university team led by Georgia Tech is using artificial intelligence to design specialized membranes that can efficiently isolate PFAS from water. The research, supported by over $10 million in grants from various federal agencies, aims to develop advanced filtration technologies that are both effective and sustainable.
“Applying machine learning to membrane separation represents an exciting frontier for environmental engineering,” notes Tiezheng Tong, a researcher involved in the project.
For consumers concerned about PFAS in their drinking water, these innovations offer hope for more accessible and effective filtration options in the near future. While some solutions may take time to reach the market, the rapid pace of research suggests that we may soon have multiple options for protecting ourselves from these persistent pollutants. As researchers continue to refine these technologies, the prospect of PFAS-free drinking water becomes increasingly attainable, marking a significant advancement in public health protection.
