Italian Study Identifies Bacteria That Break Down Persistent PFAS Pollutants

Italian Study Identifies Bacteria That Break Down Persistent PFAS Pollutants
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Researchers at Catholic University in Piacenza have identified about 20 bacterial species capable of degrading per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as “forever chemicals,” which pose serious environmental and health risks, SciTechDaily reported. The study focused on contaminated soils in Italy’s Veneto region, where industrial pollution has led to high PFAS levels in groundwater and soil.

Led by Professor Edoardo Puglisi, the team used traditional microbiology and DNA sequencing techniques to isolate bacteria that use PFAS as their sole carbon and energy source. Some strains demonstrated degradation rates exceeding 30%, a significant achievement given PFAS’s chemical stability.

These bacteria, harmless to humans and easy to cultivate in the lab, offer promising potential for sustainable bioremediation. Ongoing research aims to test their effectiveness in more realistic conditions and explore the genetic mechanisms behind PFAS breakdown. The findings could contribute to new strategies for cleaning environments affected by these persistent pollutants.