Forever Chemicals

In Context 

A recent study found that rainwater from many places across the globe is contaminated with “per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances,” (PFAs).

What are PFAs?

• They are called “forever chemicals” because of their tendency to stick around in the atmosphere, rainwater and soil for long periods of time.
• They are man-made chemicals used to make nonstick cookware, water-repellent clothing, stain-resistant fabrics, cosmetics, firefighting forms and many other products that resist grease, water and oil. 
• They can migrate to the soil, water and air during their production and use.
• Since most PFAs do not break down, they remain in the environment for long periods of time. 
• Some of these PFAs can build up in people and animals if they are repeatedly exposed to the chemicals.
•  Health risks
  • Decreased fertility, developmental effects in children, interference with body hormones, increased cholesterol levels and increased risk of some cancers.
  •  long-term low-level exposure to certain PFAs can make it difficult for humans to build antibodies after being vaccinated against various diseases.
• Measures  
  • There are many effective, albeit expensive, methods to remove them from rainwater that have been collected through various rainwater harvesting methods. 
  • It can be done with the use of a filtration system with activated carbon.
  • Recently,. The researchers first placed a PFA compound in a solvent called DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide). 
    • They then mixed it with sodium hydroxide (lye) in water. They found that when this mixture was heated up to boiling temperature, the PFA compound began to degrade. 

Source:IE