{
  "id": 3167889,
  "title": "Process doubles the size of PFAS molecules, making them easy to destroy",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/process-doubles-the-size-of-pfas-molecules-making-them-easy-to-destroy",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-25T02:00:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Phys.org",
    "slug": "phys-org",
    "url": "https://phys.org/news/2026-08-size-pfas-molecules-easy-destroy.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Scientists have discovered a novel method to double the size of PFAS molecules, making them easier to destroy. This breakthrough could provide a solution to the persistent problem of \"forever chemicals.\" Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are known for their strong carbon-fluorine bonds, which make them difficult to break down. These molecules, found in various industrial applications and household products, accumulate in soil, water, and living tissue, posing a significant environmental and health risk.\n\nSusanna Maisto, a Ph.D. student at Yale University, has been working on a point-source treatment approach to address PFAS pollution at its origin. Instead of relying on conventional methods like activated carbon adsorption or reverse osmosis, Maisto's technique involves a chemical reaction that alters the molecule's structure. By treating PFAS with octanol, the compound's size is roughly doubled, leading to a significant increase in water insolubility. This transformation simplifies the destruction process, as the larger, insoluble molecule can be separated from water and more easily broken down.\n\nThe key to this method lies in the emulsification of PFAS into tiny droplets within an aqueous environment, creating microreactors that facilitate the octanol-PFAS reaction. This approach works effectively across various PFAS chemistries, including newer replacements that are particularly resistant to existing treatment methods. The process is compatible with dirty water containing organic matter and even saline water, although the salt content reduces efficiency.\n\nMaisto's research demonstrated that the reaction takes approximately 24 hours to complete and performs best in concentrated waste streams. This characteristic suggests that her technology is most suitable for point-source treatment, where PFAS are generated at industrial facilities before entering public water supplies. The method is not intended to replace large-scale municipal cleanup efforts but rather to prevent contamination from occurring in the first place.\n\nMaisto's discovery emerged unexpectedly during her doctoral research at Yale University. After being encouraged by her advisor, John Fortner, to explore carboxylic acid reactions, she spent three years refining the process, overcoming challenges related to concentration dependence and destruction chemistry. Her recent success has earned her a spot as a postdoc at Columbia University, where she plans to investigate PFAS destruction using plasma reactors, furthering the quest to overcome the carbon-fluorine bond's notorious resistance to destruction.\n\nThis innovative approach represents a significant step towards developing a practical, cost-effective solution for managing PFAS pollution at its source, potentially safeguarding both human health and the environment.",
  "summary": "Ask a chemist to name the strongest single bond in organic chemistry, and they'll likely say carbon-fluorine. It's that bond, repeated dozens of times over, that gives per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) their nickname: forever chemicals. Manufacturers prize PFAS for the same reason regulators dread them. The bonds barely break down, which is exactly why the compounds are so good at…",
  "key_points": [
    "Scientists discover method to double PFAS molecule size",
    "Octanol treatment increases water insolubility, simplifies destruction",
    "Technique effective for point-source treatment of industrial PFAS"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}