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Scientists Identify Bacteria That Can Break Down Some PFAS and Their Byproducts

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26 Jan, 2025

This post was originally published on Eco Watch

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, have taken on the nickname “forever chemicals” for their inability to break down in the environment. These chemicals, which are found in everything from food packaging to camping gear, are popular for their stain-, moisture- and grease-resistant properties, but they have been found to accumulate in the environment and in human bodies. 

But now, researchers may have cracked a way to break down these chemicals and even some of their byproducts, which can be toxic, by using strains of bacteria.

A team of scientists led by University of Buffalo researchers found that the bacteria Labrys portucalensis F11 was effective at breaking down at least three types of PFAS, including the most common forever chemical, perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), as well as 5:3 fluorotelomer carboxylic acid (FTCA) and 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate (FTS).

Professor Diana Aga, the study’s corresponding author, says the bacteria could one day be deployed to break down PFAS in wastewater treatment plants. Meredith Forrest Kulwicki / University at Buffalo

The bacteria was the most effective at breaking down PFOS, a chemical that was designated as hazardous by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2024. It degraded more than 90% of the compound over a 100-day exposure and removed up to 96% of the PFOS after 194 days. During the first 100 days, the bacteria broke down as much as 58% of FTCA and 21% of FTS. The scientists published their findings in the journal Science of The Total Environment.

“The bond between carbon and fluorine atoms in PFAS is very strong, so most microbes cannot use it as an energy source,” Diana Aga, corresponding author of the study, said in a statement. “The F11 bacterial strain developed the ability to chop away the fluorine and eat the carbon.”

In addition to breaking down the PFAS, the bacteria also broke down the metabolites that occur after the PFAS degradation, with Labrys portucalensis F11 even breaking down or fully removing fluorine in some of the study results. 

“Many previous studies have only reported the degradation of PFAS, but not the formation of metabolites. We not only accounted for PFAS byproducts but found some of them continued to be further degraded by the bacteria,” explained Mindula Wijayahena, first author of the study and a Ph.D. student in Aga’s lab.

Mindula Wijayahena, the study’s first author, analyzed the samples containing PFAS and the bacteria following incubation in Portugal. Meredith Forrest Kulwicki / University at Buffalo

This particular bacteria strain has been previously revealed to degrade fluorobenzene, a flammable and hazardous compound sometimes found in insecticides.

The discovery offers a novel method for cleaning up PFAS; other methods have primarily focused on adsorbing and removing the PFAS, but the bacteria could help break down these chemicals and minimize the amount of time they spend in the environment.

A 2024 study uncovered a way to track PFAS contamination to the source, and a separate study published in 2023 a potential water treatment that would use adsorbing materials and electro- and photochemical processes to destroy PFAS contaminants in drinking water supplies. Yet another separate study published in 2022 found a plant-based material that could help adsorb PFAS, which would then be digested by fungus.

The study authors using Labrys portucalensis F11 for PFAS metabolization will continue their research, noting that although the bacteria did break down the PFAS, it took nearly 200 days, and that was without other food sources present.

“We want to investigate the impact of placing alternative carbon sources alongside the PFAS. However, if that carbon source is too abundant and easy to degrade, the bacteria may not need to touch the PFAS at all,” Aga said. “We need to give the F11 colonies enough food to grow, but not enough food that they lose the incentive to convert PFAS into a usable energy source.”

The post Scientists Identify Bacteria That Can Break Down Some PFAS and Their Byproducts appeared first on EcoWatch.

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Embedding environmental stewardship into IT governance frameworks

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Integrating environmental stewardship into IT governance frameworks has become essential as businesses increasingly prioritise sustainability. IT operations contribute significantly to carbon emissions, energy consumption and electronic waste (e-waste). Organisations that embed environmental responsibility into their IT governance can reduce their ecological footprint, improve operational efficiency and strengthen their brand reputation.

Erica Smith, chief alliance officer and environmental, social and governance lead, Blue Connections IT, said, “Environmental stewardship supports financial performance, risk mitigation and brand differentiation. With rising energy costs, increased consumer demand for sustainable products and services, and growing pressure from investors and regulators, companies can no longer afford to overlook their environmental responsibilities.

“Poor sustainability practices in IT can lead to high operational costs, supply chain risks and reputational damage. Conversely, a proactive approach improves efficiency, attracts environmentally conscious customers and helps future-proof businesses against evolving policy and regulatory changes.

“Integrating environmental responsibility into IT governance integrates sustainability initiatives into decision-making systematically. Organisations can reduce waste, lower energy consumption and extend the lifecycle of technology assets while positioning themselves as responsible leaders in an increasingly climate-aware market.”

There are four key areas that present opportunities to embed environmental stewardship into IT governance frameworks.

1. Device lifecycle management

A structured approach to managing the lifecycle of IT assets ensures devices are deployed efficiently, maintained properly and retired responsibly at the end of their useful life. Embracing a circular economy model, where equipment is refurbished, reused or ethically recycled, can significantly reduce e-waste and resource use. Companies that adopt this approach lower their environmental impact and unlock financial value by extending the lifecycle of IT assets.

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2. Sustainable procurement

IT governance frameworks should prioritise the selection of technology vendors and partners committed to sustainable manufacturing, responsible sourcing and energy-efficient product design. This includes favouring IT hardware with a high percentage of post-consumer recycled materials and using minimal packaging. Additionally, employing Device-as-a-Service (DaaS) models optimises IT asset utilisation while reducing upfront investment and unnecessary hardware purchases.

Partnerships with sustainability-driven IT service providers can further enhance an organisation’s environmental impact. Working with partners that offer end-to-end IT asset management solutions, encompassing secure device deployment, certified data sanitisation and ethical recycling, simplifies the process of aligning IT operations with sustainability goals. Companies that prioritise environmental stewardship in their IT governance framework gain a competitive advantage by demonstrating their commitment to responsible business practices.

3. Energy consumption

Data centres, cloud services and enterprise networks require substantial energy resources, making green IT practices essential. IT governance frameworks should include policies to reduce consumption by optimising server efficiency, reducing redundant infrastructure and using renewable energy sources. Cloud providers with strong sustainability credentials can support carbon reduction initiatives, while virtualisation strategies can consolidate workloads and improve overall energy efficiency.

4. Employee engagement

Educating staff on sustainable IT practices, such as energy-efficient device usage and responsible e-waste disposal, creates a culture of accountability. Organisations that implement green workplace initiatives, such as responsible end-of-life disposal programs, reinforce their commitment to sustainability at all levels.

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Government regulations and evolving industry standards are increasingly shaping the sustainability expectations for organisations. Aligning IT governance frameworks with best practices for environmental stewardship keeps companies ahead of regulatory requirements. Proactive adoption of sustainable IT practices positions businesses as industry leaders in environmental responsibility.

Smith said, “Integrating environmental stewardship into IT governance frameworks is not just about meeting compliance obligations; it’s about futureproofing company operations and prioritising the broader environment. Taking a proactive approach to sustainability lets organisations drive efficiency, reduce long-term costs and contribute to a healthier planet. Businesses that lead in sustainable IT governance will be well-positioned for long-term success as environmental concerns continue to shape consumer and corporate priorities.”

Image credit: iStock.com/Petmal

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