Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are a classification of thousands of pollutant chemicals in oceans worldwide. The chemicals, also known as “forever chemicals,” are aptly named because they break down over generations, if at all. Recent research, however, aims to combat this problem.

These human-made forever chemicals, found in personal care products, food packaging, etc., eventually find their way into our water sources. They endanger not just human health but marine ecosystems and valuable seafood resources.

A new study published in Nature Water, by an international team of researchers, suggests a holistic approach to catalytic solutions to break down the chemicals and render them harmless.

They believe a step-by-step process that allows for targeting each PFAS without affecting others is the best approach to achieving this.

The researchers proposed a sequential “treatment train,” where simplified PFAS mixtures are processed through tailored catalytic steps.

The first step removes specific chemical head groups from the PFAS molecules. Next, it shortens their long perfluorinated carbon chains, stripping away the fluorine atoms — the key to their tenacity. The remaining fluorinated fragments are then broken down into safe, natural substances like carbon dioxide, water and fluoride ions.

Each step uses a specialized catalyst tailored to the chemical structure at that stage.

The team is still learning which conditions break down each PFAS.

More like this: Polluted oceans: Let the trash take itself out