‘Forever chemicals’ successfully destroyed

With a cheap and simple solution...

US scientists have found a way of destroying toxic ‘forever chemicals’, named so because of their tendency to linger. 

Where you find this chemical poison. via Newsmedical

The chemicals, also known as PFAS compounds, are used in food packaging, textiles and cosmetics. Because they never fully break down, they accumulate in the environment and humans. Some studies have linked them to cancer.

Below a summary life cycle of PFAS:

Now, chemists at Northwestern University, Illinois, appear to have achieved the impossible. Using inexpensive reagents (substances that cause a chemical reaction), they have developed a process that appears to destroy 10 PFAS compounds – leaving behind only benign end products.

“It’s exciting because of how simple our solution is,” said the university’s William Dichtel, who led the study. There’s still much work to be done, however. Some 12,000 PFAS compounds have been identified in the US alone.

[Science]

Positive Mind is trying to bring positive and uplifting news to readers. If you value what I do, please consider making a regular or one-off contribution…

Thank you!

Manuel