Scientists have found a promising new way to break down harmful 鈥渇orever鈥� chemicals.
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as , are found in many household products including nonstick cookware or waterproof clothing. They鈥檝e also found their way into our drinking water, our food and our bodies.
They鈥檙e called forever chemicals because they were designed and manufactured to never break down 鈥� which means, after they鈥檝e been used in manufacturing or in our homes, they鈥檒l continue to circulate in the environment for thousands of years. Studies have linked PFAS exposure to conditions like decreased fertility, cancer and a higher risk of obesity.
But researchers at Colorado State University and the University of Colorado Boulder say they鈥檝e found a way to break down PFAS 鈥� using light. The process is similar to the way plants use photosynthesis to make energy from sunlight.
鈥淲e need to be able to produce these chemicals in a way that doesn鈥檛 compromise our future generations,鈥� says CSU , the lead researcher on the study.
Miyake joined host Erin O鈥橳oole to share more about the results, which were published recently in the journal .
