Have you ever heard of “forever chemicals”?
These are harmful substances found in everyday items like food packaging, nonstick pans, and even some types of clothing.
Known scientifically as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), these chemicals are tough and don’t break down in nature, sticking around for a very long time.
Unfortunately, they’ve been linked to serious health issues, including cancer and problems with the immune system.
To tackle this issue head-on, chemists at MIT have come up with a smart solution: a sensor that can spot these nasty chemicals in drinking water, even in tiny amounts.
This groundbreaking tool could be a game-changer for ensuring our water is safe to drink.
PFAS are tricky because they’re used in so many products we use daily, from the pans we cook with to the boxes that keep our pizza fresh.
These chemicals can end up in our water, air, and soil, posing a hidden risk to our health.
Recognizing this danger, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set very strict guidelines on how much of these chemicals can be in our drinking water.
Until now, checking if our water had PFAS meant sending samples to a lab, waiting weeks for results, and paying a hefty fee.
But the MIT team’s sensor changes the game. Inspired by the rapid tests we’ve seen for COVID-19 and pregnancy, this sensor uses a special material called polyaniline on a strip of paper.
When a drop of water with PFAS touches this strip, it triggers a reaction that can be measured, showing how much PFAS is in the water.
What’s really cool about this sensor is that it’s designed to be super user-friendly. It uses just a tiny bit of water and can connect to a smartphone to give results.
While the current version can detect PFAS at levels as low as 200 parts per trillion, the team is working on making it even more sensitive.
They’re aiming to create a device that can filter a liter of water and catch PFAS at the very low levels advised by the EPA.
Imagine having a gadget at home that lets you check your water for “forever chemicals” quickly and easily.
That’s what the MIT researchers envision. Such a device wouldn’t just give peace of mind; it would also be a cheaper and faster option than current methods. And if PFAS are found, there are filters you can use to make your drinking water safe again.
This innovation isn’t just great news for households. It could also help industries that use PFAS, like semiconductor manufacturing and firefighting equipment production, to make sure the water they release into the environment is clean and safe.
Funded by grants and fellowships, including an MIT School of Science Fellowship and a Bose Research Grant, this research is paving the way for a future where we can easily keep an eye on “forever chemicals” in our environment.
It’s a big step towards safer drinking water for everyone.
Source: MIT.
