From left to right - Achintya Bezbaruah, doctoral grad research assistant Jimli Goswami, and doctoral grad teaching assistant Shirsa Mazumdar (photo: NDSU)
FARGO (KFGO) – Researchers at North Dakota State University have found a solution to the fight against per- and polyflouroalkyl subsubstances (PFAS).
PFAS, or ‘forever chemicals,’ are used in products like nonstick cookware, waterproof fabrics, and firefighting foams and don’t break down easily in the environment or in the body. PFAS exposure has been linked to serious health risks, including cancer.
“It causes cancer and there are other effects. It effects our different organs and everything, accumulates in our body. So this is why it’s so important to do that work. So what we are basically doing is we’re trying to clean up a mess,” said NDSU Professor Achintya Bezbaruah.
The research team says ovalbumin, the primary protein in egg whites, effectively binds and removes PFAS from contaminated water.
Researchers hope the discovery will lead to the development of materials for PFAS capture in water treatment systems and natural water.
“We are North Dakota State University, we’re a land grant university. One of our things is always think about the people. North Dakota of course, but we think about also the whole society, that’s our objective. So what can we do to make our people safe there,” Bezbaruah said.
Bezbaruah emphasizes that the research team is a combination of undergraduate students, master’s level students and faculty.
“Creating the next group of workforce in the country, that’s something we do at NDSU all the time. It’s kind of a hierarchy of people at different levels, trying to create a pipeline of workforce and expertise so that we can complete the rest of the work.”
The research team includes professors from Iowa State University and the University of Central Florida, and a scientist with the Environmental Protection Agency.
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