Breakthrough Water Filter Removes ‘Forever Chemicals’ 100x Faster Than Carbon : ScienceAlert

Scientists have just unveiled a game-changing breakthrough in the fight against “forever chemicals” — and it’s being hailed as a potential revolution in environmental cleanup. An international team led by researchers at Rice University has developed a filtration system capable of removing toxic PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) from water at speeds up to 100 times faster than current commercial carbon filters.

PFAS, often called “forever chemicals,” are synthetic compounds that have been in widespread use since the 1940s. Found in everything from non-stick cookware and waterproof clothing to firefighting foams and food packaging, these chemicals are prized for their resistance to heat, water, and grease. But that same durability is now a global problem — the carbon-fluorine bonds in PFAS are so strong that these substances can persist in the environment for thousands of years.

The health risks are alarming. Two of the most notorious PFAS — PFOA and PFOS — have been linked to cancer, cardiovascular disease, fertility issues, and birth defects. More than 12,000 other PFAS variants remain in circulation today, with largely unknown long-term effects on human health.

Traditional cleanup methods are slow, expensive, and often generate secondary waste. But the new method, detailed in the journal Advanced Materials, uses a specially engineered material called layered double hydroxide (LDH), made from copper, aluminum, and nitrate. According to lead author Youngkun Chung, this LDH compound captures PFAS more than 1,000 times better than existing materials and works at lightning speed.

Here’s how it works: the LDH’s unique layered structure creates a slight charge imbalance that attracts and binds PFOA molecules tightly. Once the filter is saturated, it can be regenerated by heating and adding calcium carbonate — a process that not only cleans the LDH for reuse but also breaks down the PFAS by stripping away its fluorine backbone.

The result? A reusable, eco-friendly filter that destroys PFAS rather than just trapping them. The remaining fluorine-calcium byproduct is safe for landfill disposal, according to Rice engineer Michael Wong.

Early lab tests have shown the filter’s effectiveness on PFAS-contaminated water from rivers, taps, and wastewater treatment plants. While the research is still in its early stages, scientists are optimistic about integrating this technology into municipal water treatment systems in the near future.

“This one-of-a-kind LDH-based technology has the potential to transform how PFAS-contaminated water sources are treated,” said Wong.

As governments and industries worldwide grapple with the growing PFAS crisis, this breakthrough offers a glimmer of hope — and a powerful new tool in the battle for cleaner, safer water.

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