Hongjie Water, March 26: Engineers at the University of British Columbia have developed a new water treatment method that can safely and efficiently remove "permanent chemicals" [PFAS] from drinking water - and is permanently effective.

The full English name of PFAS is per/polyfluoroalkyl derivatives, which refers to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl compounds. PFAS is a generic term for a series of synthetic organic fluorides. Due to its special physical and chemical properties, PFAS is often used to manufacture daily necessities that require antifouling, waterproof, and grease resistance. There are more than 4700 kinds of PFAS in use, mainly used for rain gear, non stick cooking utensils, antifouling agents and fire extinguishing foam. Research has linked these chemicals to a wide range of health problems, including hormonal disorders, cardiovascular disease, developmental delays, and cancer.

To remove PFAS from drinking water, the University of British Columbia research team has designed a unique adsorption material that can capture and retain all PFAS present in the water supply. Then use special electrochemical and photochemical techniques to disrupt PFAS, as described in part in a new paper recently published in Chemosphere.

Although there are currently some treatment methods on the market, such as activated carbon and ion exchange systems, which are widely used in homes and industries, they cannot effectively capture all different PFAS or require longer treatment times.

This unique adsorption medium can capture up to 99% of PFAS particles, and can also be regenerated and potentially reused.

The UBC team is preparing to pilot the new technology in multiple locations in British Columbia starting this month.