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US university claims breakthrough in destroying PFAS ‘forever chemicals’

Researchers at Northwestern University in the US have claimed a breakthrough in breaking down perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are used extensively in cosmetics.

Chemists at the Illinois institute have developed a process to that cause these two major classes of PFAS compounds, to fall apart using low temperatures and inexpensive, common reagents - leaving behind only benign end products.

FAS has been in use for around 70 years in cosmetic products, including lotions, cleansers, nail polish, shaving cream, foundation, lipstick, eyeliner, eyeshadow, and mascara, to condition and smooth the skin, making it appear shiny, or to affect product consistency and texture. 

PFAS are so-called ‘forever chemicals’, as some forms of PFAS can take over 1,000 years to degrade as they contain carbon-fluorine bonds, which are the strongest bonds in organic chemistry.

However, the Northwestern University team found a weakness.

At one end of the molecule, there is a charged group that often contains charged oxygen atoms that was targeted by heating the PFAS in dimethyl sulfoxide with sodium hydroxide, a common reagent.

The process decapitated the group, leaving behind a reactive tail.

“That triggered all these reactions, and it started spitting out fluorine atoms from these compounds to form fluoride, which is the safest form of fluorine,” said Northwestern’s Professor William Dichtel, who led the study.

“Although carbon-fluorine bonds are super strong, that charged head group is the Achilles’ heel.”

The study, ‘Low-temperature mineralization of perfluorocarboxylic acids’, was supported by the National Science Foundation.

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Upcoming Events

in-cosmetics Global

Paris Expo Porte de Versailles
16th – 18th April 2024

NYSCC Suppliers' Day 2024

Javits Center, New York
1st - 2nd May 2024

9th Anti-Ageing Skin Care Conference

Royal College of Physicians, London
25th - 26th June 2024

in-cosmetics Korea 2024

Hall C, Coex, Seoul, South Korea
24th - 26th July 2024

in-cosmetics Latin America 2024

São Paulo, Brazil
25th - 26th September 2024

IFSCC 2024

Recanto das Cataratas Thermas Resort, Iguazu Falls, Brazil
14th - 17th October 2024

Access the latest issue of Personal Care Magazine on your mobile device together with an archive of back issues.

Download the FREE Personal Care Magazine app from your device's App store

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