PFAS remain one of the most complex and urgent challenges facing analytical scientists today. As Diana Aga, one of our 2024 Power List Planet Protectors, put it:
“A very important problem right now that can be tackled by interdisciplinary work is the detection, remediation, substitution, and assessment of toxicity of PFAS. This is a wicked problem that will not be solved in the near future, unless scientists from many disciplines work together.”
Here, we curate some of the most compelling PFAS research from 2025 so far – spanning novel remediation techniques, advanced detection methods, and emerging evidence of health impacts.
Remediation
Flash! Saviour of the Environment?
More than 96 percent defluorination and near-complete removal of PFOA was achieved using flash Joule heating (FJH) – a method that simultaneously degrades PFAS and converts waste carbon into graphene. The Rice University technique breaks strong carbon–fluorine bonds in under a second at 3,000 °C, producing inert fluoride salts with no toxic byproducts.
To assess destruction and byproducts, the team employed ion chromatography, LC–MS, GC–MS, Raman spectroscopy, XRD, and TEM. The dual benefit of environmental cleanup and material recovery suggests FJH could offer a scalable, low-emissions alternative to PFAS incineration or landfill disposal.
“Our method doesn't just destroy these hazardous chemicals; it turns waste into something of value,” said senior author James Tour.
Heat + Aquarium Filter = A Simple Fix?
Heating PFAS-contaminated granular activated carbon (GAC) to just 300 °C – well below standard remediation temperatures – can mineralize over 90 percent of PFAS into harmless fluorine, according to a University of Missouri study.
Analytical techniques included TGA-FTIR for thermal decomposition profiling and ion-selective electrodes to track defluorination. The simplicity, reusability of GAC, and lack of solvents or pressure make this approach especially appealing for community-scale water treatment or waste management.
"The real-world application of this discovery is that we can effectively and efficiently remove forever chemicals and other contaminants from our water," Co-author Feng “FranK” Xiao said. "This is the technology we need."
Health Effects
Wildfire Smoke Embeds PFAS in Cells
According to a Harvard-led study, smoke exposure from wildfires and structural fires leaves a molecular fingerprint in the immune system – activating allergy-linked genes, altering T-cell profiles, and embedding toxic metals and PFAS directly inside immune cells.
The researchers used single-cell mass cytometry (CyTOF), scATAC-seq, and multimodal bioinformatics to track immune and epigenetic changes in recently exposed individuals. Notably, PFOA and PFOS were detected intracellularly, suggesting immune cells act as reservoirs for long-lasting contaminants.
“This is the first study to link toxic metal incorporation, PFAS exposure, and immune reprogramming at single-cell resolution,” said lead author Mary Johnson, highlighting the need for new strategies to detect and mitigate smoke-related health effects.
Worm Model Reveals Varying Toxicity
Some PFAS are 1,000 times more toxic than others – and genes may determine who is most at risk. A Duke University study using Caenorhabditis elegans showed strong structure-specific and strain-specific effects across 13 PFAS types.
High-content imaging, LC–MS/MS, and dose–response modeling revealed sulfonamides and long-chain PFSAs as the most toxic. The findings point to genetic susceptibility as a critical but underexplored factor in PFAS risk assessment.
PFAS in House Dust Linked to Higher Childhood Leukemia Risk
Children living in homes with elevated PFAS-contaminated dust face a higher risk of developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia, according to a California case–control study. EtFOSAA exposure was associated with more than double the leukemia risk.
Researchers measured PFAS in vacuum dust using LC/QTOF-MS, and modeled exposure effects using logistic regression, G-computation, and GAMs. The findings highlight indoor dust as a significant and underexamined PFAS exposure pathway in early life.
Instrumental Innovations
Separation and Identification of PFAS Isomers in Seconds
Several PFOS and PFNA isomers – indistinguishable by conventional methods – can now be resolved in seconds using SLIM ion mobility spectrometry. The LC–SLIM IM–MS/MS platform separates isomers based on ion drift and fragmentation, achieving baseline resolution in under 10 minutes.
The workflow combines ultrahigh-resolution IM, HRMS, and energy-resolved MS/MS to distinguish isomers by CCS, m/z, retention time, and unique fragments – offering a fast, scalable approach for PFAS speciation in complex samples.
Detection Boost from Multidimensional Spectrometry
An open-access IM–MS library created by Erin Baker and colleagues featuring 175 PFAS compounds and 281 ion species provides a standardized dataset for identifying legacy and emerging PFAS.
Compiled using RPLC-DTIMS-HRMS under ESI and APCI modes, the library includes CCS, RT, and m/z values with sub-0.5 percent variation between ionization types. The resource supports non-targeted screening, spectral matching, and ML-driven PFAS detection across laboratories and platforms.
Also in the News
Parts of France Ban Tap Water Due to PFAS Contamination
Over 60,000 people in Saint-Louis, France, face a ban on tap water after PFAS were found above upcoming EU safety limits. The contamination is linked to firefighting foam used near the airport. Read more
PFHxA Exposure in Early Life Triggers Lasting Brain Changes in Male Mice
A study finds early-life exposure to PFHxA affects brain development and behavior in male mice, with no similar effects seen in females. Read more
Probiotic Gut Bacteria Offer New Hope for Flushing Out PFAS
Researchers identify gut bacteria that can absorb and expel up to 74 percent of PFAS toxins in mice, suggesting potential for reducing PFAS levels through probiotics. Read more
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