Northwestern's Dive into Water Quality

Northwestern's Dive into Water Quality

Northwestern University is diving into water quality with a new pilot study, armed with a cool $3 million from the National Science Foundation. Their mission? Hand out easy-to-use water quality kits to Chicago residents, and if things go swimmingly, spread the love to other cities. Starting with tests for sneaky lead, they'll later expand to hunt for copper and then (yup, you guessed it) PFAS chemicals. Channeling the simplicity of at-home COVID tests, these devices give a speedy green light—literally—when lead's lurking.

Stemloop Inc., a new startup, is thirsty to take this innovation mainstream, targeting a nationwide rollout. Founded on the promise of democratizing water safety, Stemloop is planning to commercialize Northwestern University's water quality tech. It feels wrong hearing “democratize” and “commercialize” in the same sentence, but we’re optimistic that they’ll do the right thing and get this tech to the people who need it the most.

PFAS Tied to Testicular Cancer

In what seems to be a neverending onslaught of PFAS news, new research shows a concerning link between PFAS, particularly PFOS, and testicular cancer in military personnel. Blood samples from Air Force members reveal higher PFAS levels in firefighters, with those diagnosed with testicular cancer showing even more alarming serum levels. These resilient chemicals, found in items like firefighting foam and various consumer goods, persist in both our environment and our bodies. Though their tie to testicular cancer hadn't been concretely established before, this study is turning the tide. As awareness grows, legal battles are bubbling up, with numerous lawsuits now targeting producers of PFAS-laden products.

PFAS Removal (But Sustainable)

A collaboration between Saarland University (which is somewhere in Germany?) and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has introduced a game-changing technique to filter out PFAS chemicals from water. Most cleanup techniques and research we’ve covered in the past involve harsh chemicals or burn-offs. The difference this time? Tapping into metal-containing polymers known as metallocenes. Electrodes enhanced with ferrocene or cobaltocene (the specific compounds) can smartly snag and release even tiny traces of PFAS. And the kicker? This “switchable” prowess means electrodes can be refreshed for multiple uses sans the need for burning, positioning it as a green beacon for tackling the PFAS conundrum. We’re here for sustainable sources.