February 1, 2021
Lauren Hansen, Staff Researcher/Writer
Photo by Tina Dawson on Unsplash (no endorsement)
“Nothing lasts forever,” including the so-called “forever” chemicals. “Forever” chemicals are harmful compounds often found in water. But how do you get “forever” chemicals out of water? In a recent study, researchers found that cold plasma technology is a new effective way to get “forever” chemicals out of the water supply.
“Forever” chemicals is an informal term. The real name is per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). PFAS are a group of highly stable carbon-fluorine compounds. Until now, “forever” chemicals have been nearly impossible to get out of the water supply.
How did “forever” chemicals enter the water supply in the first place?
Many everyday items produced approximately from the 1940s to 2000 contain PFAS. PFAS are found in common household products:
PFAS make these products stain-proof, greaseproof, water repellant, and fire repellant. When these items sit in landfills for a long time, PFAS leak into ground and surface water.
How are PFAS harmful?
“Forever” chemicals are harmful, so it’s in our best interest to eliminate as many of them as possible.
“Forever” chemicals are widespread. In fact, 98% of the US population has been exposed to “forever” chemicals in some way. Why is this a concern? Because PFAS endanger the developmental, immune, metabolic, and endocrine health of consumers. More specifically, medical researchers have linked PFAS to thyroid issues, high blood pressure, low birth weight, and cancer. Today, during the COVID-19 pandemic, PFAS are immunotoxins that may affect disease severity.
Water is one of the main ways you get exposed to “forever” chemicals. Environmental Working Group, a U.S.-based nonprofit organization, conducted testing and found PFAS in the drinking water of dozens of U.S. cities, including major metropolitan areas.
Are “forever” chemicals still entering our water supply today?
Over the last two decades, “forever” chemicals’ harmful effects on the human body have led to federal bans, monitoring mandates, and remediation efforts. The EPA is still working to identify and regulate sources of PFAS.
What gets rid of “forever” chemicals in water?
Used in waterproof and fireproof items, PFAS are tough to break down. Until now, researchers have developed many types of PFAS treatments that are showing promising results. Now, cold plasma technology (charged gas) is showing promising results, too. Recent research shows that a blast of cold plasma gets rid of 90% of “forever” chemicals in water. Fortunately, plasma technology is an environmentally safe method of treating water.
The future of “forever” chemicals in our water
Cold plasma technology successfully removes most PFAS from water, but researchers must find a way to scale up this process to eliminate PFAS from mass amounts of water and soil. The future also depends on the actions we take now to ensure continued elimination of PFAS in our water.
How can you take action?
Save the WaterTM has identified four ways that you can take action today:
