The Race to Clean Up Forever Chemicals

PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” are nearly 15,000 synthetic compounds used in products like nonstick cookware and waterproof fabrics. While once celebrated for their utility, PFAS are now linked to serious health risks and persist in the environment, accumulating in soil, water, and living organisms. New regulations are pushing governments and industries to find effective cleanup solutions. Traditional methods only concentrate PFAS rather than destroy them, but emerging technologies—like electrochemical oxidation, UV photocatalysis, and hydrothermal alkaline treatment—show promise. Biological methods using PFAS-eating bacteria are also being explored. With stricter standards looming, innovation will be essential to tackle this global contamination crisis.