023 - Bacteria Found to Eat Forever Chemicals

“In the quest to take the "forever" out of "forever chemicals," bacteria might be our ally.

Now, a University at Buffalo-led team has identified a strain of bacteria that can break down and transform at least three types of PFAS, and, perhaps even more crucially, some of the toxic byproducts of the bond-breaking process.

Published in this month's issue of Science of the Total Environment, the team's study found that Labrys portucalensis F11 (F11) metabolized over 90% of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) following an exposure period of 100 days. PFOS is one of the most frequently detected and persistent types of PFAS and was designated hazardous by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency last year.

Remember: There is always hope for a better future! We love you. - Granny & Paw

Source: University at Buffalo. "Bacteria found to eat forever chemicals -- and even some of their toxic byproducts." ScienceDaily, 23 January 2025.
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