Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are industrial chemicals used in the manufacturing of thousands of products, including cosmetics, carpeting, non-stick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, firefighting foams, food packaging, and waterproof clothing.

They’re everywhere — the environment, our food, and even in our bodies. Peer-reviewed studies have shown that exposure to PFAS may lead to decreased fertility, developmental delays in children, and increased risk of some cancers. And they take hundreds or even thousands of years to break down.

For roughly the past 10 years, researchers have been looking for ways to remove PFAS from the environment or at least degrade them into harmless, inorganic compounds.