Scientists uncover microbes that destroy 'forever chemical' pollutants

Certain bacteria can degrade the strong bonds that give "forever chemicals" their long shelf life, and this hints at potential low-cost treatments that could cleanse water of concerning PFAS.

PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are human-made compounds found in many products. They contain strong chemical bonds that do not easily break down, making them difficult to remove from our bodies and the environment.

PFAS have been linked to a variety of health effects, and this past April, the Environmental Protection Agency set limits on the concentrations of six common PFAS in drinking water. This move highlighted a need for effective ways to clean up polluted waters.

Now, in a study published July 17 in the journal Science Advances, researchers reported for the first time that four species of Acetobacterium can degrade the bonds in some PFAS. This includes unsaturated PFAS, whose chemical structure makes them easier to break down than so-called saturated PFAS. Examples of these chemicals include PFMeUPA and FTMeUPA, which are not yet regulated by the EPA.

Related: PFAS 'forever chemicals' to officially be removed from food packaging, FDA says

"PFAS degradation using microbes is one of the most sought-after technologies in wastewater treatment and waste management," Nirupam Aich, an associate professor of engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln who was not involved in the research, told Live Science in an email.

There are already some effective approaches to treating PFAS, including filtration and heat treatment. However, using biological approaches involving bacteria could have unique advantages. According to the study authors, the approach could be low cost and easily injected into groundwater beneath the Earth's surface, where many existing treatments are challenging to apply. Groundwater supplies about one-third of U.S. drinking water.