Microplastics are not the only contaminants infiltrating our food and drinking water; there is another dangerous compound we are trying to eliminate from the environment. These are the permanent chemicals, abbreviated as PFAS.
PFAS are widely used because they make items heat-resistant, stain-resistant, and water-resistant.
Permanent chemicals are widely used in waterproof, heat-resistant, and stain-resistant products (Photo: Adobe).
However, when these PFAS-containing products are no longer in use and are discarded in landfills, they can contaminate water sources because these chemicals are notoriously difficult to degrade. They pose serious health risks and have been linked to liver disease, cancer, thyroid issues, and various other ailments.
As a result, scientists are focusing on finding methods to remove these chemicals from drinking water. A research team at the University of British Columbia in the United States has discovered a catalyst that can capture and eliminate PFAS. With this method, it takes only a few hours to purify water, even without a stable ultraviolet light source for decontamination.
They have developed a patented activated carbon filter containing the catalyst. The hybrid iron oxide catalyst (Fe/g-C) can capture PFAS in water and break these chemicals down into harmless components. The entire process is relatively quick, depending on the volume of water that needs to be treated.
The researchers noted that previous solutions could only either capture or break down these chemicals, but with the catalyst in this new study, users can effectively address both steps in a concise manner.
According to the scientists, this new solution is significantly faster than other methods. The studied catalyst can remove 90% of permanent chemicals from water in just 3 hours. Additionally, this method is cost-effective and easier to implement compared to other existing methods.
For instance, some methods require ultraviolet light to initiate chemical reactions, but the new approach developed by this research team is entirely applicable in areas with insufficient lighting. Even under low-light conditions, this new technology can still eliminate 85% of PFOA, which is also a permanent chemical.
Moreover, this new technology can be used to remove other “stubborn” components that pollute water, not just permanent chemicals. This special catalyst can be utilized for treating municipal water supply systems and industrial facilities.
This is indeed a major successful study. The scientists have partnered with a commercial company to bring this new technology into practical use.
