Dr Cheng Zhang and Xiao Tan have created a simple and effective method that coats PFAS particles within water in a magnetic fluorinated polymer sorbent. Once coated in this newly created solution, the particles can be easily removed using a magnet. The researchers have been able to use their new method to clear 95% of PFAS from a small vial of water in less than a minute. 

PFAS are often used in products like non-stick cookware, fire-fighting foams, food wrapping, stain resistant carpet and clothing for its ability to repel water, grease, heat and stains. Despite these benefits some studies have shown links between high levels of the man-made chemical with cancer, reduced kidney function and impacts to the immune system in humans. As PFAS can take anywhere between 2-9 years to pass out of the body, experts suggest limiting exposure.   

Polymer chemist Dr Zhang explained that the cost effectiveness of their method comes from being able to reuse their solution in multiple treatments and by avoiding the need for a power source, which is required by current systems.  

“Because our process does not need electricity, it can be used in remote and off-grid communities,” said Dr Zhang. “The solution itself can be reused up to 10 times.” 

The swift development and scaling up of this cleaning solution into a commercial product will be a welcome development in Australia, as governments and community discuss concerns over PFAS contamination.  

In 2018 the Australian Government released the Intergovernmental Agreement on a National Framework for responding to PFAS Contamination that was updated in 2020 to call for strengthened collaboration amongst the states to reduce future releases of PFAS into the environment.

“PFAS are everywhere and in everyone, and Planet Ark has long held concerns over the health and environmental impacts of PFAS,” said Dr Roy Tasker, Chief Scientific Advisor at Planet Arkwho recently made recommendations on a panel to the Advisory Committee on the Environmental Management of Industrial Chemicals (IChEMS Advisory Committee) to discuss PFAS management in Australia. “Back in 2021 Planet Ark and Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) conducted a study in which we found very high PFAS levels in about one third of food packaging tested above ambient levels,” said Dr Tasker.

“There has been some progression since then to improve packaging alternatives, but uptake has been slow. Labels do not indicate PFAS in consumer products so it is not surprising that more awareness to the problem is needed.” 

“Requiring supply chains to check for PFAS in product components, more collaboration between stakeholders on limiting the use of PFAS, developing and testing benign alternatives and utilising solutions to clean up contamination like this will go a long way to ensuring healthier environments for our communities.” 

Planet Ark does not take responsibility for the accuracy of the original information and encourages readers to check the references before using this information for their own purposes.