A new study has revealed that toxic forever chemicals can be removed from drinking water using a type of activated carbon commonly used for cleaning aquariums.
Forever chemicals, known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are industrial compounds used in various products such as non-stick cookware, cosmetics, stain-resistant fabrics, firefighting foam, food packaging, and waterproof clothing. These chemicals can persist in the environment for hundreds or even thousands of years and have been linked to infertility, delayed child development, and certain types of cancer.
For a long time, researchers have been searching for a method to extract these chemicals from the environment or at least transform them into harmless inorganic compounds.
Now, a study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology has found that a common material called granular activated carbon (GAC) can effectively break down these chemicals.
Feng Xiao, one of the study’s authors from the University of Missouri, stated that eliminating these chemicals no longer requires organic solvents or high temperatures—just heating PFAS with GAC can do the job.
