Scientists have discovered a revolutionary way to clean up dangerous “forever chemicals” from drinking water using common household materials, potentially saving millions from harmful health effects.
At a Glance
- PFAS or “forever chemicals” are widespread environmental pollutants linked to serious health problems including liver damage, thyroid disease, and cancer
- A new material made from silk and cellulose effectively removes PFAS from water while avoiding the use of synthetic materials
- Researchers have also developed other promising methods including machine learning-designed membranes and flash joule heating that removes and destroys PFAS
- Current water treatment methods are largely ineffective against PFAS, making these breakthroughs particularly significant
- According to studies, approximately 98% of Americans have PFAS in their bloodstream, highlighting the urgency of finding solutions
The Persistent Problem of Forever Chemicals
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals used in countless everyday products, from non-stick cookware to waterproof clothing and food packaging. Their remarkable durability, which makes them valuable for manufacturing, also makes them extremely persistent in the environment and human body. These substances don’t break down naturally, accumulate in living organisms, and are associated with serious health issues including liver damage, thyroid disease, obesity, fertility problems, and cancer.
“More than 200 million Americans in all 50 states are affected by PFAS in drinking water, with 1,400 communities having levels above health experts’ safety thresholds,” says Yongsheng Chen, a researcher involved in developing solutions to the PFAS problem.
The European Union has recognized the severity of this issue, implementing strict limits on PFAS in drinking water through the EU Drinking Water Directive. By 2026, drinking water will need to contain no more than 0.5 µg/l of total PFAS and no more than 0.1 µg/l of individual PFAS compounds. Unfortunately, conventional water treatment methods do not effectively remove these chemicals, creating an urgent need for innovative solutions.
A Natural Solution: Silk and Cellulose
In an exciting breakthrough, scientists have developed a fully natural material made from silk protein and cellulose that effectively removes PFAS from water. This innovation stands out because it avoids using synthetic materials to solve a problem created by synthetic chemicals. The material not only captures PFAS but also demonstrates strong capabilities for removing heavy metals and has antimicrobial properties, making it a comprehensive water purification solution.
“Contamination by PFAS and similar compounds is actually a very big deal, and current solutions may only partially resolve this problem very efficiently or economically. That’s why we came up with this protein- and cellulose-based, fully natural solution,” explains Yilin Zhang, one of the researchers behind this development.
The material could initially be implemented in point-of-use filters for homes and businesses, similar to activated carbon filters currently on the market. With further development and testing, it might eventually be scaled up for municipal water treatment systems. This approach is particularly appealing because it breaks the cycle of using problematic chemicals to solve chemical problems.
Harnessing Technology: Machine Learning and Flash Joule Heating
Another promising avenue comes from researchers using machine learning to design specialized membranes for PFAS removal. This multi-university project, funded by grants totaling over $10 million from various government agencies, aims to identify membrane materials that can efficiently isolate PFAS from water. The advantage of this approach is its potential to provide a scalable, efficient, and sustainable solution that addresses both drinking water safety and agricultural concerns.
“Applying machine learning to membrane separation represents an exciting frontier for environmental engineering,” notes Tiezheng Tong, a researcher involved in the project.
Perhaps the most transformative approach comes from Rice University researchers who have developed a method using flash joule heating (FJH) that not only removes PFAS but actually destroys them. This technique achieves over 96% defluorination efficiency and 99.98% removal of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a common PFAS compound. The process also converts the waste into valuable graphene and other carbon-based materials, potentially making the cleanup economically viable.
“Our method doesn’t just destroy these hazardous chemicals; it turns waste into something of value,” says James Tour, one of the researchers behind the FJH method.
Looking Ahead: Challenges and Promise
Despite these encouraging developments, challenges remain in the fight against PFAS contamination. Current techniques generally capture but don’t destroy PFAS, creating secondary waste management issues. The effectiveness of water treatment methods can vary based on environmental factors, and many approaches come with high operational costs. For home filtration systems, proper maintenance is crucial, as improperly maintained activated carbon systems might actually increase PFAS levels in treated water.
“In competing approaches, synthetic materials are used — which usually require only more chemistry to fight some of the adverse outcomes that chemistry has produced,” says Hannes Schniepp, highlighting the value of natural solutions like the silk-cellulose material.
With continued research and development, these innovative approaches offer hope for cleaner, safer drinking water. As these technologies mature and become more widely available, communities worldwide may soon have more effective tools to protect themselves from the persistent threat of forever chemicals. The race to solve one of our most pressing environmental health challenges continues, but significant progress is being made.
