MƒA Thursday Think: Eliminating “Forever Chemicals” From the World’s Water

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of ~15,000 widely used, long-lasting chemicals that have caused widespread contamination in our air, water, and soil. Compounds in PFAS are so resilient that they persist in the environment rather than degrading naturally, earning them the label "forever chemicals." Studies have shown that PFAS exposure may be linked to harmful effects in humans and animals, including liver damage, decreased immunity, and congenital disabilities. To address the growing challenge of PFAS, the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory is developing multiple technologies that work together to achieve complete PFAS remediation. These technologies include materials for PFAS capture and separation, chemical strategies for environmentally-friendly PFAS destruction, materials for byproduct sequestration, and the development of PFAS-free Aqueous Film Forming Foams, like those needed in fire extinguishers. In this talk, Dr. Leslie Hamilton will discuss these technologies and present strategies for all of us to work towards PFAS-free waters.

Host or Publisher Math for America