Read the full article by Adrian Skov (phys.org)
“Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals known for their exceptional resistance to degradation, earning them the nickname ‘forever chemicals.’ These persistent substances can accumulate in water, soil and living organisms, raising concerns about their potential impacts on human health and the environment.
Detecting PFAS contamination is a critical first step toward addressing these risks. However, conventional PFAS analysis typically requires collecting environmental samples and transporting them to specialized laboratories equipped with advanced mass spectrometry instruments. Although highly sensitive and accurate, these methods can be costly and time-consuming.
Researchers from the Micro/Bio/Nanofluidics Unit at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) have created a reliable, easy-to-mass-produce platform that enables regulators and other environmental actors to detect PFAS on the spot without the need for an external lab.
‘Our goal is to develop a sensitive, low-cost technology that can eventually be used outside specialized laboratories,’ says Dr. Mark Sullivan. ‘We have demonstrated that it works for PFOA and PFOS, and the same platform could potentially be adapted to detect other PFAS compounds.'”…