Get the latest tech news
Bacteria make a meal of toxic PFAS 'forever chemicals' | Scientists have identified a bacterium that can eat these chemicals, as well as their byproducts.
Toxic ‘forever chemicals’ are increasingly showing up in the environment, our food and drinking water, and throughout our bodies. But we might have a new weapon: scientists have identified a bacterium that can eat these chemicals, as well as their byproducts.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances ( PFAS) are a group of chemicals that have been widely used for decades due to their handy water-repelling properties, including in non-stick cookware and waterproof clothing. A new study, lead by researchers at the University at Buffalo, has found that a certain species of bacteria can break down at least three types of PFAS, and mop up some of the toxic byproducts created in the process. As the team points out, it takes a long time to work, and probably wouldn’t be that effective in real-world situations where the bacteria has other food sources.
Or read this on r/tech
