New Ways to Break Down 'Forever Chemicals' Developed

Scientists in Germany have found two new ways to break down harmful chemicals known as PFAS, which are often called 'forever chemicals' because they do not naturally degrade. These chemicals are used in many everyday products like non-stick pans, waterproof clothing, and food packaging. However, they can build up in the environment and in human bodies, potentially causing health problems. Researchers at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) developed two separate processes. The first uses hydrodynamic cavitation, which creates tiny bubbles in a liquid that collapse and generate intense heat and pressure, breaking down the chemicals. The second method combines cold atmospheric plasma with gas dispersion, where a plasma (a type of ionized gas) is used to break the chemical bonds. Both methods were tested and found to effectively destroy PFAS. The results were published in the journals Chemical Engineering Journal Advances and Scientific Reports. This research could lead to new ways to clean up contaminated water and soil, helping to reduce the health and environmental risks posed by these persistent chemicals.