Researchers from the New Jersey Institute of Technology have unveiled a rapid method for detecting PFAS, a class of persistent contaminants often labeled forever chemicals, in food packaging, drinking water, and soils. The breakthrough can identify trace amounts in under three minutes, a speed that could transform routine screening across multiple sectors. The discovery appears in the Journal of Hazardous Materials, a peer‑reviewed science journal known for publishing work on hazardous substances and their impacts on health and the environment.
PFAS, or per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are synthetic chemicals widely used in textiles, packaging, cookware, and many consumer products because they resist water, oil, and heat. Their durability, a key selling point for manufacturers, also means they persist in the environment and in human bodies. This persistence raises concerns about exposure through both water supplies and consumer goods that incorporate PFAS into their materials, potentially contributing to long-term health risks.
The study emphasizes that human exposure to PFAS can occur through multiple pathways, including ingestion of contaminated water and ingestion or dermal contact with products containing PFAS-based materials. Scientific literature has linked PFAS exposure to a range of health effects, such as increased cancer risk, developmental and immune system impacts, thyroid disruption, and other metabolic concerns. The researchers underscore the importance of accurate, fast detection to better manage risk and protect public health and ecological systems.
Central to the method is the use of ionization coupled with mass spectrometry. This combination enhances sensitivity by orders of magnitude compared with conventional liquid chromatography techniques used for PFAS monitoring. By reducing matrix effects that often suppress ion signals, the new approach boosts the detectability of trace pollutants and improves confidence in results. In practical terms, the team notes that their system can identify extremely tiny concentrations of PFAS, capable of rising to levels as low as parts per trillion under certain conditions.
In validation tests, the technology demonstrated substantial improvements in signal clarity by mitigating interfering salts that commonly blunt detection signals for PFAS. This improvement translates into a higher likelihood of spotting very low-level contaminants even when samples contain complex mixtures. The researchers quantified the method’s performance by measuring its ability to detect a single PFAS molecule dissolved in water volumes comparable to tens of Olympic swimming pools, illustrating the scale of sensitivity achieved in real-world samples.
Analyses identified eleven distinct PFAS molecules, including widely encountered compounds such as PFOA and PFOS. These substances have historically attracted attention due to associations with adverse health outcomes and ecological concerns. The expanded detection capability helps researchers and regulators map PFAS presence more comprehensively, supporting more informed risk assessments and targeted remediation efforts in water, soil, and consumer supply chains.
During water testing, the team confirmed the presence of PFOA in local tap water samples in less than two minutes, underscoring the method’s potential for rapid onsite screening in municipal systems and facilities that manage drinking water. The speed and accuracy of the technique hold promise for ongoing monitoring programs, regulatory compliance, and industrial processes that require tight PFAS oversight without sacrificing throughput.
Authors of the study argue that adopting this ionization‑mass spectrometry workflow could simplify PFAS control in public water supplies and in various commercial operations where these substances may appear. By providing faster, more reliable data, the method could support timely decision‑making, reduce unnecessary delays in routine testing, and foster stronger protections for public health and the environment. The research adds to a growing corpus of work aimed at timely PFAS surveillance and risk management across North American water systems and supply chains [Source: Journal of Hazardous Materials].
In the broader context, authorities in different regions have pursued regulatory actions on PFAS due to long‑standing concerns about chemical persistence and health impacts. While some jurisdictions have introduced tighter limits and phased bans for certain PFAS in consumer products, the overarching objective remains clear: to minimize exposure through safer materials, improved filtration and treatment processes, and robust monitoring strategies. This latest development from the NJIT team aligns with those goals by offering a practical, scalable approach to detecting a broad array of PFAS compounds with unprecedented speed and sensitivity. Overall, the research presents a valuable tool for scientists, regulators, and industry stakeholders seeking to understand and mitigate PFAS risks more effectively [Source: Journal of Hazardous Materials].