Danger Dust

A new, comparatively gentle cleanup method reportedly eradicates 100 percent of certain “forever chemicals” overnight by combining a simple chemical solution and visible LED light. The results, published last month in the journal Angewandte Chemie International Edition, also indicate the breakthrough effectively separates fluorine ions for recycling, a key component for clean energy production and pharmaceuticals.

Along with microplastics, poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are considered some of today’s most pressing environmental pollutants. Known for their long lifespans as well as their excellent resistance to heat and water, these “forever chemicals” have been found in everything from nonstick cookware, to firefighting foam, to clothing (not to mention inside the human body) since Teflon’s arrival in 1938. Unfortunately, mounting evidence shows PFAS, like their microplastic relatives, cause countless health issues like hormone disruption and cancer. And as their name suggests, these accumulations of “forever chemicals” will linger in environments as remote as Antarctica for generations unless addressed.