Scientists have taken on eternity itself: they've discovered a method to purify water from the most resilient chemicals.

Researchers have identified a bacterium capable of breaking down perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), a particularly resilient type of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often referred to as "forever chemicals" due to their extremely strong carbon-fluorine bonds. These synthetic compounds, first developed in the late 1930s, have become widespread in the environment and are linked to numerous health risks, including elevated cholesterol levels, reduced fertility, developmental issues in children, and an increased risk of cancer, according to Popular Mechanics.

According to a 2022 report from the U.S. Geological Survey, nearly half of the tap water in the United States contains PFAS, highlighting the urgent need for effective solutions worldwide, as some areas face even more severe pollution issues.

The durability of PFAS makes their removal from the environment a particularly challenging task. However, scientists are currently exploring a promising microbial approach that may help reduce pollution. A recent study published in the journal Science of the Total Environment demonstrated that Labrys portucalensis F11, a strain of bacteria found at a contaminated industrial site in Portugal, can degrade up to 90% of PFOS.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classified PFOS and related compounds as hazardous substances back in April 2024. According to Diana Aga, a co-author of the study from the University of Buffalo, most microbes cannot break down PFOS due to its exceptionally strong chemical bonds, but F11 possesses a unique ability to "detach fluorine and consume carbon."

Previous research has recorded bacteria capable of degrading certain PFOS compounds, but F11 is unique in that it not only breaks PFOS down into smaller components but also removes fluorine from these fragments. This was demonstrated in a controlled experiment where scientists placed the bacteria in a solution containing 10,000 micrograms of PFAS per liter. After an incubation period exceeding 100 days, significant degradation of the substances was observed.

A graduate student at the University of Buffalo and the lead author of the study, Mindula Vidjayahena, emphasized that breaking the carbon-fluorine bond is a critical step in the restoration of PFAS, and F11 has managed to go beyond partial degradation by completely removing fluorine from the byproducts. However, despite its potential, the bacterium's ability to degrade PFOS also depends on the surrounding environment. In the presence of alternative carbon sources, F11 tends to consume them rather than PFOS, indicating that researchers must fine-tune environmental conditions to achieve maximum efficiency.

The complexity of designing ideal conditions lies in creating a balance—providing the bacteria with enough carbon to thrive while ensuring it specifically degrades PFAS. Currently, scientists are investigating ways to manipulate carbon levels in contaminated sites to optimize the effectiveness of F11.

The discovery of PFAS-eating bacteria represents an important scientific breakthrough in environmental restoration. Although solutions like F11 are still in the early stages of research, they may offer humanity a potentially sustainable way to mitigate the harmful effects of these persistent chemicals. Given the global prevalence of PFAS pollution, microbial strategies against them could become a crucial tool in combating contamination. If scientists can scale up the use of PFAS-consuming bacteria, the "forever" aspect of these chemicals may one day be a thing of the past.

This material is for informational purposes only and does not contain advice that may affect your health. If you are experiencing issues, please consult a professional.