The omnipresence of PFAS—and what we can do about them
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—also known as "forever chemicals"—are everywhere. Created in the 1940s, these synthetic compounds are an unseen ingredient in many items that we use in our daily lives, like cleaning products, food pack.....»»
Research seeks solution to PFAS chemicals in waste
Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientists are looking for a better way to remove or degrade stubborn pollutants, also called forever chemicals, from waste before they impact human and animal health......»»
EPA"s push to eliminate ‘forever chemicals" brings scrutiny to EV components
The EPA is moving to rid waterways of cancerous PFAS chemicals, but the auto industry still relies on some of them for crucial components and materials, including those used in EVs......»»
EPA’s PFAS rules: We’d prefer zero, but we’ll accept 4 parts per trillion
For two chemicals, any presence in water supplies is too much. Enlarge (credit: Layland Masuda) Today, the Environmental Protection Agency announced that it has finalized rules for handling water supplies that are contam.....»»
New study suggests we"re likely underestimating the future impact of PFAS in the environment
Per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances—commonly known as PFAS—are a group of over 14,000 human-made chemicals that have been popular since the 1950s for their diverse skills in resisting heat, water, grease and stains......»»
Ocean waves propel PFAS back to land, new study finds
A new study by researchers at the Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, published in Science Advances, reveals that PFAS re-emit into the air from crashing ocean waves at levels comparable to or greater than other sources, establ.....»»
Textiles and food packaging biggest source of PFAS in Yangtze River
The first study of toxic "forever chemicals" along the full length of Asia's longest river, the Yangtze, has found 13 different types of PFAS, nearly half of them coming from textile treatments and food packaging......»»
The omnipresence of PFAS—and what we can do about them
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—also known as "forever chemicals"—are everywhere. Created in the 1940s, these synthetic compounds are an unseen ingredient in many items that we use in our daily lives, like cleaning products, food pack.....»»
Researchers unveil method to detect "forever chemicals" in under 3 minutes
PFAS have earned the name "forever chemicals" with good reason—the man-made compounds, which can take thousands of years to degrade and are found in everything from grease-resistant food packaging to water-repellent clothing, have made their way in.....»»
PFAS "forever chemicals" being spread on world"s ski slopes, study reveals
Skiers keen for slick runs are leaving toxic PFAS "forever chemicals" behind on ski slopes, research by The James Hutton Institute in Aberdeen and the University of Graz in Austria has revealed......»»
Alarming levels of PFAS contamination found in small coastal ecosystems
Micro-estuaries, often overlooked but vital ecosystems supporting biodiversity and enhancing human life quality in densely populated areas, play a crucial role in controlling the transfer of pollutants from land to sea. A new study investigating the.....»»
"Forever chemicals" in German drinking water: A hidden threat unveiled
In a study published in Eco-Environment & Health, researchers screened German drinking water for 26 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). This effort, notably supported by residents, marks a significant step in understanding the presence of PFA.....»»
Wear and tear may cause firefighter gear to release more "forever chemicals"
Last year, a study by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) showed that the textiles used in protective clothing worn by firefighters often contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, a class of chemicals that has been l.....»»
Getting “forever chemicals” out of drinking water is expensive
Can water utilities meet the EPA's new standard for PFAS? Enlarge (credit: Wachirawit Jenlohakit via Getty) Situated in a former sand and gravel pit just a few hundred feet from the Kennebec River in central Maine, the.....»»
Nafion byproduct 2 found in blood of well users near Fayetteville, N.C.
Researchers from the GenX Exposure Study detected PFAS originating from a fluorochemical manufacturing plant—including Nafion byproduct 2 and GenX—in nearby private wells in Bladen and Cumberland Counties, N.C. PFAS refers to a group of chemicals.....»»
PFAS flow equally between Arctic Ocean and Atlantic Ocean, study finds
The frigid Arctic Ocean is far removed from the places most people live, but even so, "forever chemicals" reach this remote landscape. Now, research in Environmental Science & Technology Letters suggests that per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS.....»»
Using clay to combat eternal toxins: Scientists clarify basis for innovative PFAS filter made of clay
PFAS filters available for industrial waste are usually made of activated carbon. As this is comparatively expensive, researchers are looking for alternative filter materials for the so-called "eternal toxins," whose hazardous residues only degrade v.....»»
PFAS forever chemicals found in English drinking water. Why are they everywhere and what are the risks?
PFAS chemicals (per-and poly fluoroalkyl substances), also known as forever chemicals, are rarely out of the news at the moment. The latest concern about this chemical group is their presence in drinking water in England......»»
"Forever chemicals" blood tests in Belgium over polluted water
Belgium's southern Wallonia region pledged Tuesday to offer free blood tests for residents to measure their possible exposure to PFAS "forever chemicals" amid a scandal over polluted drinking water......»»
Converting PFAS "forever chemicals" into valuable compounds
Commonly known as "forever chemicals," PFAS are notorious for persisting in the environment and in our bodies. Osaka Metropolitan University chemists may put an end to the "forever" life of PFAS with their simple yet innovative technique that convert.....»»
Detection of environmental PFAS by interrupted energy transfer
PFAS, a family of highly fluorinated substances, represent a danger for humans and the environment. Particularly problematic members of this family, such as perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) appear to cause organ dama.....»»