RESEARCH: CANCER
FOLDING PROJECT #15400 PROFILE

PFAS are harmful chemicals found in water that can make people sick. This project looks at how PFAS interact with other molecules, hoping to find new ways to clean up polluted water.

Note: This TLDR is a simplication and may not be 100% accurate.

PFAS are contaminants in water that are toxic and can cause several adverse health effects.

We are studying interactions between polymer molecules and PFAS ions and expect these studies to benefit PFAS remediation efforts.

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PFAS

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances

PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals that have been widely used in products like non-stick cookware and firefighting foam. Because they don't break down easily in the environment, they can persist in water sources for long periods, posing risks to human health and wildlife.

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Contaminants

Substances that make something impure or unsafe for consumption.

Contaminants are unwanted substances found in water, soil, or air. They can be natural (like minerals) or man-made (like industrial waste). Contaminants can harm human health and the environment.

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Toxic

Poisonous or harmful to living organisms.

Toxic substances can cause damage to cells and tissues. Exposure to toxins can lead to a variety of health problems, ranging from mild irritation to serious illness or death.

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Polymer

A large molecule composed of many repeating subunits.

Polymers are long chains of molecules that make up a wide range of materials, from plastics to natural fibers like cotton and silk. They have many applications in medicine, including drug delivery systems and tissue engineering.

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Remediation

The process of removing or neutralizing pollutants from the environment.

Remediation aims to clean up contaminated sites and restore damaged ecosystems. Techniques include removing contaminants physically (excavation), chemically (oxidation), or biologically (using microorganisms).