Summary:
Scientists at the University of California, Riverside have developed a new method to destroy toxic "forever chemicals" known as perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that have contaminated waterways worldwide. The technique involves infusing contaminated sources with hydrogen, causing water to release electrons and weaken the strong molecular bonds in PFAS. UV light pulses supercharge these reactions, breaking down the toxic chemicals into harmless components. The method has so far achieved 95% degradation of PFAS in two types of PFAS in small volumes of tap water in 45 minutes. The system is still in the early research phase, but the team hopes to develop it into a commercially viable machine.
Here are some key points:
PFAS are a group of chemicals that were first manufactured in the 1940s and have become widespread in waterways around the world.
Exposure to PFAS has been linked to ecological damage and human health problems, including certain cancers.
PFAS take an extremely long time to break down in water, leading to global contamination of groundwater, rainwater, drinking water, and other systems.
Scientists at the University of California, Riverside (UCR) have developed a promising platform to treat PFAS-contaminated drinking water sources.
The system has only been tested on two types of PFAS in small volumes of tap water, but the results were very promising.
The hydrogen-based polarization technique has a relatively low-energy footprint and does not produce harmful byproducts.
The system is still in an early phase of research, but the team hopes to develop it into a commercially viable machine that could treat large water tanks and other sources.
How does this fit in the Hierarchy of Agency?
Know the Truth! With the University of California, Riverside, now exploring ways to grow our health in economical resources, we have greater knowledge to help progress towards a greater and safer future. It also encourages us to continue to work together so that we can help benefit the world together!
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