This article explores the pervasive issue of PFAS contamination, focusing on a novel filtration system developed by Jordan Poler that aims to address this growing environmental concern.
DuPont and Chemours, manufacturers of Teflon, used PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in their production process. Unfortunately, this process resulted in the contamination of groundwater, causing alarming levels of PFAS in drinking water in certain parts of North Carolina, exceeding federal limits. The health implications of PFAS exposure are severe, ranging from increased cancer and obesity risks to reduced fertility.
Jordan Poler, a chemistry professor at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, highlights the enduring challenge posed by PFAS contamination in the region, recognizing the potential for hurricanes to further redistribute contaminated water. Concerned about this issue, Poler has developed a novel PFAS filtration system with a unique advantage over existing methods. Unlike conventional filters that end up in landfills, leaching contaminants back into the environment, Poler's system allows for the extraction and safe disposal of PFAS. His low-cost, reusable filter is currently being expedited for market release.PFAS have permeated the environment since their invention in 1934, found in various products like cleaning fluids, cookware, and clothing. Their presence has been detected in diverse locations, from Mount Everest to Antarctic penguins, and likely in your tap water. Investigations have revealed PFAS contamination in drinking water supplies in England, while a 2023 study estimated that 45 percent of private and public US drinking water sources were affected by at least one PFAS chemical. While the US banned certain harmful PFAS chemicals from drinking water last year, concerns exist regarding potential rollback of these protections under the new administration. Furthermore, recent research has linked high levels of PFAS in drinking water to an increased risk of specific cancers, including oral, lung, and brain cancers.Colin Cooke, from the University of Alberta, explains that the exceptional strength of carbon-fluorine bonds in PFAS molecules contributes to their persistence in the environment. These bonds, among the strongest known, allow PFAS to travel extensively through the water cycle, contaminating various locations wherever wind and rain reach. Three primary methods exist for PFAS removal from water: reverse osmosis, activated carbon filtration, and ion exchange. Poler's filter utilizes ion exchange, employing a fine, sand-like material that attracts and filters out PFAS through chemical interaction. He emphasizes the use of sustainable materials, a natural zeolite readily extracted from the ground. Poler describes the material's complex structure, resembling a lattice of tiny sticks, providing a high surface area for attracting and capturing contaminants. Once the filter becomes saturated with PFAS and other impurities, Poler explains that it can be regenerated using a specific fluid to chemically attract and remove the contaminants. He claims to have successfully completed hundreds of cycles without experiencing any performance degradation. He and his colleagues published a study outlining the fundamental principles of their approach in 2023. Ideally, the recovered PFAS would then be processed to permanently break down those carbon-fluorine bonds and dispose of the material safely. Poler has identified potential processing companies in North Carolina. While this process requires energy for heating and pressurizing the PFAS, Poler argues that it's a safer alternative to risking the compounds returning to the environment, perpetuating the cycle of contamination. He expresses hope for his filter to be commercially available later this year
PFAS Water Contamination Filtration Environmental Health Sustainability
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