Specialists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have recently unveiled an innovative sensor capable of detecting small concentrations of perforatory and polyfetorcolor compounds (PFAS) in water, at levels as low as 200 parts per trillion. PFAS chemicals, commonly found in household goods like non-stick cookware and product packaging, are notoriously difficult to break down and have been linked to serious health issues, including cancer and reproductive problems.
In 2023, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set maximum permissible levels for the most dangerous PFAS chemicals in drinking water, highlighting the urgent need for detection technologies. MIT researchers have responded with a cost-effective solution, developing a sensor based on lateral flow technology, similar to the tests used for Covid-19 and pregnancy.
The sensor utilizes a polymer called polyanilin, which undergoes a transformation from a semiconductor to a conductor when it interacts with protons. This change allows for the quantification of PFAS levels in water, with the data being transmitted to an external device, such as a smartphone, via electrodes. However, the current sensor can only detect PFAS in acidic conditions and requires further refinement to meet the stringent EPA standards.
To enhance the system’s sensitivity, scientists are working on a larger-scale device capable of filtering approximately a liter of water through a polyanilin membrane. This advancement is expected to increase the analysis sensitivity by over a hundredfold, aligning it with EPA guidelines. Apart from personal use, such a device will be valuable for industries producing PFAS-containing products to monitor wastewater quality.
Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, this study represents a significant advancement in PFAS detection, offering a rapid and cost-effective testing method that could be pivotal in combating environmental contamination by these persistent chemical compounds.