University of Missouri researchers have identified a new method using commonly available materials to efficiently remove harmful PFAS from water, offering a significant step forward in environmental protection.
In an exciting development, researchers at the University of Missouri have discovered a new method to remove toxic “forever chemicals” from drinking water, marking a significant advancement in environmental science.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS, are industrial chemicals pervasive in various products like cosmetics, carpeting, non-stick cookware and food packaging. Unfortunately, they are also resilient pollutants that persist in the environment and human bodies for centuries, potentially causing severe health issues, such as decreased fertility, developmental delays in children and increased cancer risks.
For the past decade, scientists have tirelessly searched for effective ways to degrade these stubborn chemicals.
Leading the breakthrough is Feng “Frank” Xiao, an associate professor in Mizzou’s College of Engineering, who, along with his team, has devised a simple yet highly effective technique using granular activated carbon (GAC) and heat.
“You don’t need organic solvent or really high temperatures,” Xiao said in a news release. “Just heat the PFAS with granular activated carbon, or GAC.”
GAC, made from heated granules of coal, wood or other carbon-rich materials, is readily available and commonly used for filtering various harmful chemicals from air and water.
Xiao’s method involves heating PFAS with GAC at 572 degrees Fahrenheit, achieving 90% mineralization of these chemicals into harmless, inorganic fluorine compounds — a process previously requiring much higher temperatures, high pressures or solvents.
“Once GAC is involved, the thermal degradation of PFAS occurs much faster, and the mineralization is more intense,” added Xiao.
Published recently in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, Xiao’s paper reveals that using this method not only simplifies the process but also makes it more sustainable and cost-effective. GAC is inexpensive, can be reheated multiple times and is readily accessible, often used by consumers for aquarium maintenance or water filtration.
The implications of this discovery extend beyond just water purification. It presents a viable solution for managing PFAS-containing solid wastes, biosolids and spent adsorbent media, which are significant concerns for farmers and communities, particularly in the Midwest, where herbicides and pharmaceuticals contribute to high PFAS concentrations.
“In the Midwest, we use a lot of herbicides and give animals a lot of pharmaceuticals,” Xiao added. “These substances can contain high amounts of PFAS. Through this new removal method, we can drastically reduce the compounds’ presence in our lives.”
The discovery, with its potential to transform how communities address PFAS contamination, underscores the importance of innovative, practical research in tackling some of today’s most pressing environmental challenges.
“The real-world application of this discovery is that we can effectively and efficiently remove forever chemicals and other contaminants from our water,” Xiao concluded. “This is the technology we need.”