PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl) break down extremely slowly and are used in many packaging. They are found in the environment and have significant health effects.
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Posted on 8/19/2022 6:57 AM Updated on 8/19/2022 6:57 AM
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A hope to fight against pollution. Scientists announced Thursday, August 18, that they have found a method to destroy certain pollutants known to be “eternal” because of their extreme resilience and toxicity. These pollutants are found in many everyday objects and can cause serious health problems.
The technique, which requires relatively low temperatures and so-called shared reagents, was developed by chemists in the United States and China, whose work was published in the journal Science. These results offer a potential solution to an ongoing problem affecting the environment, livestock and people.
Developed in the 1940s, PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyls), which break down extremely slowly, can be found in packaging, shampoos, non-stick pans and even makeup. Over time, they have spread throughout our environment: water, soil, air, groundwater, lakes and rivers.
A Swedish study last week showed that rainwater was undrinkable anywhere on earth due to excessive levels of PFAS. According to some studies, exposure to PFAS may have an impact on fertility and fetal development. It can also lead to an increased risk of obesity or certain types of cancer (prostate, kidney and testicles) and an increase in cholesterol levels.
Current methods to break down these pollutants require powerful treatments such as B. Incineration at very high temperature or ultrasonic irradiation. Their almost indestructible character is due to the long carbon-fluorine bonds that compose them. However, the researchers managed to identify a weakness in certain types of PFAS. At one end of their molecule, a group of oxygen atoms can be attacked by a solvent and a common reagent at average temperatures of 80 to 120 degrees Celsius.
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