An international team of scientists from Turkey, Sweden and the UK has developed a new way to combat toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl compounds (PFAS) in sewage. The study was published in the scientific journal Chemical Engineering Journal (CEJ).
PFAS are widely used in the production of everyday products, including nonstick cookware and waterproof clothing. These substances give the materials water- and grease-repellent properties. PFAS are called “perpetual” because of their resistance to degradation under natural conditions.
Concerns about the toxicity of the chemicals were raised in the 1970s and confirmed by scientists in the early 2000s. PFAS have been found to be linked to diseases such as ulcerative colitis, thyroid problems, high cholesterol, liver damage and cancer.
In the new work, the team developed a machine called a hydrodynamic reactor, which uses bubbles that form and collapse due to changes in pressure (the process of cavitation).
The machine uses fast-moving liquid in confined spaces to create and burst many small bubbles, a process that helps purify water.
The reactor achieved a 36% degradation rate for 11 common PFAS variants in just 30 minutes and required no additional chemicals.
The team intends to improve the technology so that the machine can treat up to 200 liters of water in wastewater treatment plants.
