PFAS are everywhere. And they're hard to kill. But researchers just got their hands on microbes that can clean up our dirty water.
PFAS – perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances – are known for their persistence. They are nicknamed “chemicals forever” Because it is based on communication. carboncarbon–FluorineFluorine It's particularly hard to break. But researchers from the University of California, Riverside (UCR, USA) have just gotten their hands on it. bacteriabacteria – Very common in our area. loselose – Who would be able to. On some PFAS, anyway.
Bacteria that break carbon-fluorine bonds
in the last year,Equipped Already selected MicroorganismsMicroorganisms Able to break carbon bondsChlorineChlorine In chlorinated PFAS. Today, “This is the first discovery of bacteria capable of reductive defluorination of PFAS structures.”“It is important to note that the study was conducted in a randomized controlled trial,” explains Yuji Min, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley. I reportedThe researchers even announced this in the journal. Science advancesAfter you have determined EnzymesEnzymes Specific to this bacterium of the genus The toothpick Essential for breaking carbon-fluorine bonds. It is enough to hope that these enzymes will soon be selected or improved to make them more effective and expand their range. DomainDomain from work.
Bacteria to eliminate PFAS from water
Good news, especially for water suppliers in the United States. Because the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has just imposed tap water quality standards that limit certain perennial chemicals to just four parts per trillion in tap water.
With the help of bioengineering, these bacteria are injected directly into the groundwater. NutrientsNutrients And where they are suitable for reproduction, PFAS can actually be destroyed – or at least some of it – that pollutes our environment. Remember, PFAS are still very widely used – to design stain-resistant products, fabrics, or pizza boxes. And more and more work is pointing to the risks they pose to our health.
