Solutions

New tech permanently destroys “forever chemicals” in water

“Think Brita filter, but a thousand times better.”

Credit: University of British Columbia

A new treatment removes 99% of the harmful “forever chemicals” in water cheaply, safely, and permanently — ensuring they never end up back in the environment.

“Think Brita filter, but a thousand times better,” said Madjid Mohseni, the researcher who developed the technology at the University of British Columbia (UBC).

The challenge: “Forever chemicals” is a term used to describe per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of thousands of synthetic chemicals used in everything from carpets to fast food containers.

Exposure to high levels of PFAS has been linked to many health problems, including some types of cancer.

The “forever” moniker is appropriate because these substances do not degrade easily, and their persistence — combined with their widespread use — means PFAS can now be detected in our air, soil, drinking water, and even our blood.

Because exposure to high levels of PFAS has been linked to many health problems, including reproductive issues, high blood pressure, and some types of cancer, the EPA is starting to crack down on them, most recently with a proposal to limit the level of forever chemicals in water.

There isn’t a great way to get […]

Full article: www.freethink.com

Summary
Article Name
New tech permanently destroys “forever chemicals” in water
Description
A new treatment removes 99% of the harmful “forever chemicals” in water cheaply, safely, and permanently — ensuring they never end up back in the environment. “Think Brita filter, but a thousand times better.”
Author
Publisher Name
Freethink
Publisher Logo

Recent Posts

Conservation.gov — Showcasing, Supporting Rapid Acceleration of Local Efforts to Conserve, Protect and Restore USA Lands and Waters

New hub will connect communities with resources and funding available through President Biden’s Investing in…

21 hours ago

Ocean Waves Mist Decades-Old PFAS into the Atmosphere

Sea spray rereleases large amounts of PFAS from the ocean into the atmosphere. Credit: Pexels/Jess Loiterton…

2 days ago

Meet the Las Vegas teens facing Western drought head on

(LtoR) Katie Kim, Fisher Parry and Kira Anderson with the Southern Nevada Water Authority's Youth…

3 days ago

Climate Change’s ‘Physical Risks’ Are Catching Up With Banks

A container ship navigates through the Miraflores locks of the Panama Canal on Nov. 3. Drought…

4 days ago

US lawmakers Elizabeth Warren and Ro Khanna seek to ban trade in water rights

Private investors are poised to profit from water scarcity in the west. Photograph: Rich Pedroncelli/AP Bill…

4 days ago

No birdsong, no water in the creek, no beating wings: how a haven for nature fell silent

Bernie Krause ‘out there and listening to the soundscapes’ in Sugarloaf Ridge state park. Photograph: Cayce…

5 days ago