William Dichtel, professor of chemistry at Northwestern, was recently featured in the New York Times for research leading to the destruction of PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl substances) or “forever chemicals” for the first time.
These molecules can be dangerous for years after they are released, making them a global concern for environmentalists. Low chronic levels of PFAS exposure can increase cancer and liver damage risk, contribute to low birth weight, and reduce immunity.
“Nearly every American has them in their bodies,” said Tasha Stoiber, a senior scientist at Environmental Working Group, an environmental advocacy group that conducts research on PFAS chemicals.
First developed in the 1930s, chemists created PFAS compounds that soon proved to be remarkably good at repelling water and grease. These “forever chemicals” are durable substances found in a multitude of products and contaminate soil and water throughout the world. They can be found in chemicals to create Scotchgard, which protects fabric and carpets, nonstick Teflon pans, dental floss, restaurant food wrappers, and in the PFAS-laced foam firefighters use.
Professor Dichtel, a co-author of the study, helped discover a process that could destroy PFAS molecules after they have been removed from contaminated elements. However, there is more to be done before this technique would be readily available for use outside of a lab environment. “Then we’d be in a real position to talk practicality,” said Professor Dichtel.
The group’s research was published in the journal Science last month and featured contributors from all over the world, including Illinois, California, Canada and China.
Professor Dichtel’s research has been recognized with a number of National Awards, including a MacArthur Fellowship in 2015, the National Fresenius Award from the Phi Lambda Upsilon National Chemistry Honor Society, the Polymer International – IUPAC Award for for Creativity in Applied Polymer Science, the Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award, an Arthur C. Cope Scholar Award from the American Chemical Society, a Cottrell Scholar Award from the Research Corporation for Science Advancement, the Sloan Research Fellowship, and a Beckman Young Investigator Award from the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation.
Learn more about the research process in the New York Times’ article, “Forever Chemicals No More? PFAS Are Destroyed With New Technique.”