Strategic Research Team
PFAS
Co-led by Jennifer Freeman (HSCI) and Marisol Sepúlveda (FNR), ISF unites scientists from four colleges and eight departments to address PFAS challenges, from understanding their health impacts to developing safer alternatives for manufacturing and consumer products.
AREAS OF INTEREST
Explore key topics driving discovery and innovation as Purdue researchers work to answer important questions in this field.
PFAS quantification
Measuring the concentration of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in environmental or biological samples using analytical techniques to assess exposure, contamination levels, and inform risk assessment and remediation strategies.
Bioaccumulation and ecotoxicity
Examining how these persistent chemicals build up in organisms and ecosystems, potentially causing harmful effects across food chains and disrupting biological functions, highlighting risks to environmental and human health.
Effects on human health
PFAS exposure includes potential risks such as immune system disruption, hormonal imbalance, developmental issues, and increased likelihood of certain cancers, prompting concern over long-term impacts and the need for regulatory and medical attention.
Materials and manufacturing
Focusing on understanding how PFAS are used in industrial processes and products, aiming to develop safer alternatives, reduce emissions, and improve production practices to minimize environmental and human health impacts.
Social and economic impacts
Examining how contamination affects communities through health costs, property devaluation, regulatory burdens, and loss of trust, while influencing industries via cleanup expenses, legal liabilities, and shifts in consumer and market behavior.
Remediation and removal
Researching to develop and apply technologies to eliminate or reduce PFAS contamination from water, soil, and air, aiming to restore environmental quality and protect human health through filtration, chemical treatments, and innovative cleanup methods.
Related Projects
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
ISF supports research and partnerships that advance a sustainable, resilient, and prosperous future by aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Each ISF community identifies goals tied to their focus area. These include:
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