Miriam Bergeret is a science writer and editor based in Toronto, Canada. Miriam holds a master's degree in laboratory medicine and pathobiology from the University of Toronto, where she also studied science journalism and communication.
Certain bacteria can degrade the strong bonds that give"forever chemicals" their long shelf life, and this hints at potential low-cost treatments that could cleanse water of concerning PFAS.
Now, in a study published July 17 in the journal Science Advances, researchers reported for the first time that four species of Acetobacterium can degrade the bonds in some PFAS. This includes unsaturated PFAS, whose chemical structure makes them easier to break down than so-called saturated PFAS. Examples of these chemicals include PFMeUPA and FTMeUPA, which are not yet regulated by the EPA.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.The microbes highlighted in the new study break down carbon-fluorine bonds in some unsaturated PFAS. This process, known as defluorination, is driven by enzymes that split the chemical bonds, thus releasing fluoride atoms. These atoms would usually kill bacteria.
This line of research could guide the search for more PFAS-degrading bacteria, leading to the discovery of new enzymes and the development of biotechnologies that accelerate these natural processes, Men said.
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