Breakthrough Discovery: Soil Bacteria in Veneto Capable of Breaking Down PFAS

In a significant scientific breakthrough, researchers have discovered bacteria in Veneto soil that can degrade PFAS, a group of harmful chemicals known as 'forever chemicals.' These bacteria, isolated from PFAS-contaminated soil, have shown the ability to use PFAS as their sole energy source, offering hope for environmental cleanup efforts. The study, led by Professor Edoardo Puglisi of the Catholic University of Piacenza, identified around 20 bacterial species capable of breaking down these persistent pollutants. The research was conducted in collaboration with the University of Padua and presented at the European SETAC conference in Vienna. PFAS, used in products like cosmetics and food packaging, pose serious health risks, including links to diseases such as diabetes and hormonal disorders. The contaminated soil in Veneto, likely due to industrial activity, has PFAS levels exceeding 1000 ng/L in some areas. Using advanced microbiological techniques and DNA sequencing, the team isolated these bacteria and measured their degradation efficiency, achieving rates above 30% in some cases. Further research is underway to explore their potential in bioremediation, offering promising avenues for sustainable solutions to PFAS contamination.