Forevers May Not Be Forever?

Per and PolyFluoroAlkyl Substances (PFASs) are the so-called 'forever chemicals'. PFASs are a large family of synthetic chemicals, commercially used to make products stick-, stain- and/or water-resistant. Treated products include carpets, clothing, fire-fighting foam, fast-food packaging and even some cosmetics. PFASs are called 'forever chemicals', as they are not broken down by normal environmental processes. As a consequence, PFAss have now become almost ubiquitous, being found, for example, in global rainwater samples, UK drinking water etc. Worryingly, PFASs have been linked to a variety of human health conditions, including cancers. Goodness knows what impact these PFASs have on wild animals and plants. Several governments have specified legal limits for PFASs and/or banned these substances from certain products (Canada don't allow them in cosmetics). Researchers at the University of British Columbia appear to have made progress in developing a technology for the destruction of environmental PFASs (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/22/canada-toxic-forever-chemicals-pfas-researchers). The Columbia group have developed a new silica-based material with the ability to absorb a wide range of harmful chemicals, including PFASs. They have also developed new techniques to break these absorbed materials apart. Perhaps PFASs have just lost their eternal nature?