Forever Chemicals No More? PFAS Are Destroyed With New Technique
New York TimesDec 25, 2022
Scientists Discover New Method to Break Down "Forever Chemicals"
Image copyright: Alamy Stock Photo [via Science]
The Facts
After years of searching, a group of scientists at the University of California and Northwestern University has reportedly found a cheap and effective way of destroying PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), also called "forever chemicals."
The toxic chemicals are estimated to affect the drinking water of over 200M Americans, contaminate 98% of Americans' blood, and significant levels of PFAs have been detected in some food and the air. They don't naturally decompose, but rather cycle through and accumulate in the environment.
The Spin
Narrative A
This latest step could help decontaminate thousands of sites across the world. Scientists should be encouraged by these promising findings that could help protect public health in communities around the globe.
Narrative B
While exciting, this new method will likely have very little impact in addressing the growing problem of PFA contamination: Forever chemicals are seemingly everywhere and we need a faster way to deal with this issue.
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