“Forever chemicals” that don’t break down in the environment can be degraded with a method that chops off their molecular heads.
This treatment is a breakthrough in dealing with the problem of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These omniphobic chemicals are prized for their ability to resist water and oil, and they’re found in everything from Teflon to cosmetics to flame retardants. They’re also incredibly inert, held together by strong carbon-fluorine bonds that don’t break down in the environment.
As a result, PFAS have been found contaminating water, soil, and even human blood: A 2011 study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology found PFAS in 95% of blood samples from a nationally representative segment of the U.S. population. Studies have also linked these compounds to health problems. They appear to disrupt the endocrine system, potentially impacting fertility in both women and men, and they have been linked to cancers of the prostate, kidney, and testes, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The compounds may also increase cholesterol and impact the immune system.
Efforts to break down PFAS have so far involved energy-intensive options like high-temperature incineration, ultraviolet (UV) degradation, or...
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