Luminescent sensor detects ‘forever chemical’ pollution in water

The scientists in Chemistry and Environmental Science at Birmingham University, in collaboration with colleagues from the Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), Germany's Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, have published their findings in Analytical Chemistry. 

PFAS or ‘forever chemicals’ are manufactured fluorine chemicals that are used widely in industries ranging from food packaging to semiconductor production and car tires. They are non-degradable, accumulate in the environment and concerns regarding the toxic pollution they cause have been rising in recent years.  

In a statement, co-design lead Stuart Harrad, Professor of Environmental Chemistry at Birmingham University, said: “Being able to identify ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water, or in the environment from industrial spills is crucial for our own health and the health of our planet.

“Current methods for measurement of these contaminants are difficult, time-consuming, and expensive. There is a clear and pressing need for a simple, rapid, cost-effective method for measuring PFAS in water samples onsite to aid containment and remediation, especially at [ultra] trace concentrations. But until now, it had proved incredibly difficult to do that.”