University of Tennessee Knoxville professor and Goodrich Chair of Excellence in Civil Engineering Frank Loeffler and his co-authors published new research on the environmental impacts of "forever chemicals" in Nature Microbiology. Their study uncovered that bacteria incorporate polyfluoroalkyl carboxylates—a type of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—into the molecules that make up their cell membranes.
  • certified_expert@lemmy.world
    23·
    1 day ago

    Their recalcitrance (difficulty to degrade) has earned PFAS a reputation as “forever chemicals”—permanent contaminants in the environment and in our bodies.

    Loeffler and his team’s finding that bacteria can incorporate these recalcitrant global contaminants into their cell membranes counters that fatalistic idea. The bacterial process identified in the research paper could contribute to cleaning up environmental PFAS contamination, although final disposal of the chemicals is still an unsolved issue.

    The fact that they are using it doesn’t tell whether that’s a good or a bad thing. We also “integrate” some artificial chemicals in our tissues instead of using the naturally produced, but most of the time that results in us getting ill.

    • spinnetrouble@sh.itjust.works
      13·
      22 hours ago

      Plus tons of things eat those bacteria, then become food for someone else. How long do the PFASes persist in the bodies of organisms that consume them or the things that eat those critters? If/when they break down, how do those compounds interact with those organisms, or living tissue, or the surrounding environment? I have a lot of questions about this, but sure, the science is neat.