New method can destroy harmful 'forever chemicals.'

Scientists have found a new way to destroy harmful 'forever chemicals' known as PFAS. These chemicals are used in many household products, like non-stick cookware and food packaging, and have been linked to serious health issues, including cancer. Researchers from the University of Oxford and Colorado State University have developed a method to break down and recycle PFAS. They use potassium phosphate salts to destroy the chemicals, recovering valuable elements in the process. Dr. Long Yang, a lead author of the study, calls this method an exciting innovation. It offers a solution to a long-standing environmental problem, moving away from the idea that PFAS are permanent. The scientists ground PFAS samples with the salts to break strong carbon-fluorine bonds. They can then extract fluorine, which is important for various industries, including medicine. This new approach could help reduce both health risks and the depletion of essential fluorine sources.