PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a class of manmade chemicals used in everything from non-stick pans to toilet paper. They can be found in almost every household product. They are so difficult to break down that they’re often called “forever chemicals.” Researchers are discovering that they are harmful to human health and have been found in groundwater, rain, soil and agriculture.

Now, a Princeton research team has found a way to break down the chemicals using a common bacteria. The researchers first identified the bacteria Acidimicrobium A6 in soil samples from a New Jersey wetland, and exposed it to PFAS to chew through.

After 100 days, the bacteria broke down 60% of the chemicals,
which the researchers have shown can be degraded further into harmless end products.
The research team is now testing how to scale this process for widespread environmental cleanup.

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