Mitigating the environmental harm of PFAS ‘forever chemicals’
PFAS may not yet be a household word, but they are woven into the fabric of our lives. Prized for their water and grease-repelling properties, these synthetic chemicals can be found in nonstick pans, outdoor gear, food packaging, furniture, and even dental floss. Their ability to withstand harsh chemicals and punishing heat have also made them essential to making everything from computer chips to rechargeable batteries.
But PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, have also become pervasive. They’ve been found in our bodies, and in the water and soil of most places on Earth. Some can take thousands of years to break down in nature, and even small exposures over long periods can be harmful. PFAS have been linked to cancer in humans and animals, thyroid disease, hormonal dysfunction, and high cholesterol, among other problems.
In the search for solutions, the U.S. National Science Foundation is now funding an ambitious $5 million PFAS-replacement project called PFACTS, under its Convergence Accelerator initiative. IBM Research will lead a group of experts in academia, industry, and the non-profit sector in a multi-pronged effort to reduce the environmental impact of PFAS.
The project has three objectives: to simplify the identification of PFAS chemicals and materials; to speed up the discovery of safer PFAS alternatives with the help of generative AI; and to recommend methods for capturing PFAS from industrial applications until viable replacements can be found.