'Think Brita filter but a thousand times better': New UBC water treatment zaps chemicals

Researchers out of the University of British Columbia have developed a new treatment designed to remove "forever chemicals" from drinking water for good.
In a news release Wednesday, UBC said forever chemicals (also known as PFAS) are a "large group of substances that make certain products non-stick or stain-resistant" and these kinds of chemicals can lead to a wide range of health problems, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, developmental delays and hormonal disruption.
The new water treatment would zap those chemicals safely and efficiently, according to researchers.
"Think Brita filter but a thousand times better," said UBC chemical and biological engineering professor Dr. Madjid Mohseni in the release.
Mohseni — who developed the technology — added that forever chemicals are found mostly in raingear, non-stick cookware, stain repellents and certain foams used to put out fires.
To remove them from drinking water, Mohseni and a group of other researchers created a unique adsorbing material that is capable of trapping the chemicals present in the water supply.
The chemicals are then destroyed using special electrochemical and photochemical techniques, he said.
"While there are treatments currently on the market, like activated carbon and ion-exchange systems which are widely used in homes and industry, they do not effectively capture all the different PFAS, or they require longer treatment time," said Mohseni.
"Our adsorbing media captures up to 99 per cent of PFAS particles and can also be regenerated and potentially reused. This means that when we scrub off the PFAS from these materials, we do not end up with more highly toxic solid waste that will be another major environmental challenge."
While PFAS are no longer manufactured in Canada, Mohseni said they are still incorporated in many consumer products and can then leach into the environment.
"When we apply stain-resistant or repellent sprays/materials, wash PFAS-treated raingear, or use certain foams to put out fires, the chemicals end up in our waterways," said Mohseni, adding that certain cosmetics and sunscreens containing PFAS can also allow the chemicals to find their way into the body.
According to researchers, most exposure is through food and consumer products but people can also be exposed to the chemicals through drinking water — especially if they live in areas with contaminated water sources.
"Our adsorbing media are particularly beneficial for people living in smaller communities who lack resources to implement the most advanced and expensive solutions that could capture PFAS," said Mohseni. "These can also be used in the form of decentralized and in-home water treatments."
Mohseni and his team are planning to pilot the new technology at a number of locations across B.C. starting this month.
"The results we obtain from these real-world field studies will allow us to further optimize the technology and have it ready as products that municipalities, industry and individuals can use to eliminate PFAS in their water," said Mohseni.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Engaged couple shot dead fleeing landlord after house dispute near Hamilton, Ont., police say
A 'truly innocent' engaged couple was shot dead while attempting to flee their attacker outside their home after a landlord-tenant dispute escalated on Saturday night, according to police.

Farmers in Atlantic Canada battling 'abnormally dry' conditions, fearing continued drought
Farmers in Atlantic Canada are growing increasingly worried about drought, as many regions on the east coast have been classified as drier than usual for this time of year, with little rain in the forecast.
Venice authorities investigate after canal turns fluorescent green
Venetian authorities are investigating after a patch of fluorescent green water appeared in the famed Grand Canal on Sunday morning.
Turkiye's Erdogan wins 5th term as president, extending rule into 3rd decade
Turkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdogan won reelection Sunday, extending his increasingly authoritarian rule into a third decade in a country reeling from high inflation and the aftermath of an earthquake that levelled entire cities.
Economy, health care, trust: Alberta election campaign hits final day before vote
Both Smith and Notley agree the vote will be one of the most consequential in decades, featuring two leaders in their 50s who have been both premier and Opposition leader.
Fight still ahead for Texas' Ken Paxton after historic impeachment deepens GOP divisions
The historic impeachment of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton was just the first round of a Republican brawl over whether to banish one of their own in America's biggest red state after years of criminal accusations.
Blais scores twice, Canada beats Germany 5-2 to win gold at men's hockey worlds
Samuel Blais scored two goals to rally Canada to a 5-2 victory over Germany in the final of the ice hockey world championship on Sunday.
Jan. 6 rioters are raking in thousands in donations. Now the U.S. is coming after their haul
Less than two months after he pleaded guilty to storming the U.S. Capitol, Texas resident Daniel Goodwyn appeared on Tucker Carlson's then-Fox News show and promoted a website where supporters could donate money to Goodwyn and other rioters whom the site called 'political prisoners.'
3-year-old boy dies after drowning in backyard pool west of Toronto
Police are investigating the death of a three-year-old boy who was pulled from a backyard pool in Oakville on Saturday.