Virginia lab wins federal grant to break down forever chemicals
Jefferson Lab scientists working to break-up molecules of forever chemicals — from left, John Vennekate, Anne-Marie Valente-Feliciano, Uttar Pudasaini, Gianluigi Ciorati and Malachi Schram. (Credit: Emily Perdue/Jefferson Lab)
The EPA now requires water treatment plants to test for a group of contaminants known as forever chemicals. Used in products like non-stick coatings and waterproofing, these substances are water, grease and stain resistant, but they’re also hazardous to human health – linked to liver damage, cancer and birth defects.
Getting them out of our water will be the next great challenge.
A lab here in Virginia is working on technology to achieve that goal as Sandy Hausman reports.