Scientists have discovered how to use common household materials to effectively remove dangerous “forever chemicals” from drinking water, offering hope to millions exposed to these persistent pollutants.
At a Glance
- PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are widespread environmental pollutants linked to liver damage, thyroid disease, obesity, fertility issues, and cancer
- A revolutionary new method using silk and cellulose can effectively remove these “forever chemicals” from drinking water
- Conventional water treatment methods are ineffective for PFAS removal, while the new approach is both natural and sustainable
- Research shows 98% of Americans have PFAS in their bloodstream, highlighting the urgent need for effective removal solutions
- Scientists are also using machine learning and other techniques to develop additional PFAS removal methods
The PFAS Contamination Crisis
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, represent one of today’s most concerning environmental health threats. These synthetic chemicals have earned the nickname “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down naturally in the environment or our bodies. They’re found in everything from non-stick cookware to food packaging, waterproof clothing, and firefighting foam. Their persistence has led to widespread contamination of drinking water sources across the globe.
A 2019 study found that 98% of Americans had PFAS in their bloodstream, demonstrating how pervasive these chemicals have become. The European Union has recognized this threat by establishing strict limits in their Drinking Water Directive – 0.5 μg/l for total PFAS and 0.1 μg/l for individual PFAS compounds, with compliance required by 2026.
“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 PFAS removal efforts.
A Natural Solution to a Synthetic Problem
The breakthrough in PFAS removal comes from MIT researchers who developed a new material made from silk and cellulose. This innovative approach is remarkable not only for its effectiveness in filtering out PFAS but also for its completely natural composition. The material has demonstrated strong abilities to remove various PFAS compounds along with heavy metals, while also providing antimicrobial properties – a unique combination not found in current filtration technologies.
“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 the discovery.
What makes this approach particularly promising is that it avoids creating additional problems while solving the original one. “In competing approaches, synthetic materials are used — which usually require only more chemistry to fight some of the adverse outcomes that chemistry has produced,” notes Hannes Schniepp, another researcher involved in the project.
From Laboratory to Household Use
The new silk and cellulose material could initially be deployed in point-of-use filters – the kind you might attach to your kitchen faucet or refrigerator water dispenser. With further development, researchers believe it could potentially be scaled up for municipal water treatment systems. This would represent a significant advancement over conventional treatment methods, which have proven largely ineffective against PFAS contamination.
“If this can be mass-produced in an economically viable way, this could really have a major impact,” says Schniepp about the potential of this technology.
Current water filtration options for PFAS include activated carbon filters, ion exchange resins, and high-pressure membranes. However, these systems vary widely in effectiveness, especially against different types of PFAS compounds. Short-chain PFAS molecules, in particular, often slip through many filtration systems. Additionally, improperly maintained activated carbon systems might actually increase PFAS levels in treated water, highlighting the need for better solutions.
Beyond Filtration: Destroying PFAS
While removal represents the first challenge in addressing PFAS contamination, a second critical issue remains: what to do with the captured chemicals. Most current techniques capture but don’t destroy PFAS, creating a secondary waste management problem. Researchers at Rice University and the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center have developed a promising solution using a process called flash joule heating (FJH).
“Our method doesn’t just destroy these hazardous chemicals; it turns waste into something of value,” explains James Tour, a researcher involved with the FJH project.
The FJH method achieves over 96% defluorination efficiency and 99.98% removal of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a common PFAS compound. Instead of creating more waste, the process converts the PFAS-contaminated material into valuable carbon-based materials like graphene, carbon nanotubes, and nanodiamonds. “With its promise of zero net cost, scalability and environmental benefits, our method represents a step forward in the fight against forever chemicals,” adds Phelecia Scotland, another researcher on the project.
The Future of PFAS Removal
Researchers are also employing advanced computational methods to accelerate progress in PFAS removal. A multi-university team, funded by over $10 million in grants from USDA, NSF, and EPA, is using machine learning to identify and design membrane materials that can more effectively isolate PFAS from water. This approach could lead to more efficient, scalable, and sustainable solutions for widespread implementation.
“Applying machine learning to membrane separation represents an exciting frontier for environmental engineering,” notes Tiezheng Tong, a researcher working on the machine learning approach.
As these technologies continue to develop, they offer hope that the persistent problem of PFAS contamination might finally have solutions that are accessible, affordable, and effective for households and communities worldwide. The combination of natural materials, advanced destruction techniques, and computational design approaches represents a comprehensive strategy to address one of today’s most widespread environmental health challenges.
