How to put an end to ‘forever chemicals’ and annihilate PFAS pollution

The controversial class of highly fluorinated chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are persistent and potentially toxic, has essentially become a new part of the Earth’s ecosystem. There are estimated to be around 8000 different types of PFAS compounds out there – found in the atmosphere, rain, surface water, groundwater and even people – but technological developments now offer to break this cycle.

PFAS chemicals contain carbon chains with multiple carbon–fluorine bonds that are exceptionally strong, making them extremely persistent. These compounds can take as long as hundreds or perhaps even thousands of years to break down¹, leading to them being dubbed ‘forever chemicals’ in the media.