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But now two separate teams of international scientists believe they have found an efficient way to break down so-called “eternal chemicals” into harmless products like carbon and salt.
Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been nicknamed the “eternal chemicals” because of their strong carbon-fluorine bonds, which nothing in nature can break.
They have been used in industrial equipment in Australia and overseas for decades for their heat, water, stain and grease resistance properties, but in recent years they have come into the spotlight as the growing health implications have come to light.
The chemicals have been linked to raising cholesterol levels, disrupting the body’s hormones, affecting fertility and increasing the risk of certain types of cancer.
Although some recycling methods are emerging, they generally require harsh chemicals or extremely high temperatures, limiting their use on a commercial scale.
Now, a research team in China says it has found a way to break down PFAS using light-activated catalysts.
The catalyst absorbs light and uses this energy to break the carbon-fluorine bonds at temperatures similar to those of a washing machine, from 40 to 60 degrees.
When the PFAS polytetrafluoroethylene was treated with this method, it broke down into carbon and fluoride salts.
Researchers have also successfully broken down perfluorocarbons, perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, and perfluorooctanoic acid into carbonate, formate, oxalate, and trifluoroacetate, which can be safely recycled as salts.
In a separate study, American researchers from Colorado State University experimented with a different light-absorbing catalyst.
In combination with fluoride, the blue light-absorbing catalyst has also been shown to be effective in breaking down PFAS.
Scientists say their method uses readily available chemicals that have the potential to be used in large quantities.
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