Engineers develop water filtration that removes “forever chemicals” (news.ubc.ca)

Article summary

Engineers at the University of British Columbia have developed a new water treatment that removes 'forever chemicals' (PFAS) from drinking water safely and efficiently. The treatment uses a unique adsorbing material that traps and holds PFAS, which are then destroyed using electrochemical and photochemical techniques. This technology has the potential to provide clean drinking water for communities affected by PFAS contamination. The UBC team is preparing to pilot the new technology at several locations in British Columbia.

Main themes

• water treatment
• PFAS removal
• environmental pollution
• science and technology
• sustainability
• public health

What commenters say

• Some people believe that science and engineering can solve the problems created by human activities, including environmental pollution.
• Others argue that humanity's ability to engineer itself out of problems is limited and that some issues, such as climate change, may be too complex to solve through technology alone.
• There is a concern that the development of new technologies can create new problems, such as the production of toxic waste or the depletion of natural resources.
• The use of reverse osmosis systems to remove PFAS from drinking water is effective, but it can be inefficient and wasteful.
• Some commenters suggest that preventing problems through careful planning and consideration is more effective than trying to engineer solutions after the fact.
• The impact of human activities on the environment and public health is a significant concern, and some people argue that more needs to be done to address these issues.
• The development of new technologies, such as graphene-based supercapacitors, could potentially provide solutions to some of the world's most pressing environmental problems.