FIU Chemists Crack the PFAS Removal Puzzle

FIU chemists developed a pH-controlled, reusable method to remove PFAS forever chemicals from drinking water safely and affordably

19 Jun 2026

Chemists at Florida International University have developed a method to remove PFAS compounds from drinking water using controlled shifts in pH, offering a reusable and potentially lower-cost alternative to existing filtration technologies. The work was led by chemistry professor Kevin O'Shea and researcher Rodrigo Restrepo Osorio.

Known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, these compounds persist in both the environment and the human body. Federal regulators have tightened contamination limits after detecting them in tap water supplies across dozens of US states. Most current removal technologies are expensive, single-use, or both.

The FIU method works by adjusting a water sample's pH to trigger an adsorbent material to capture PFAS molecules. Reversing the pH releases them, leaving the material intact for reuse. No part of the adsorbent is destroyed in the process.

O'Shea described the findings plainly: "Forever chemicals don't break down and don't disappear, but FIU scientists have developed a safer, cheaper, and reusable solution that could remove these chemicals from drinking water at scale."

Water utilities stand to benefit directly. Reusable adsorbents reduce operating costs and cut hazardous waste, two factors that have slowed broader adoption of advanced PFAS treatment. Smaller municipalities with limited budgets stand to gain the most; premium filtration systems have historically suited only larger utilities with capital to spare.

Released in April 2026, the research arrives amid rising technical interest in next-generation PFAS removal. Whether the method can move from laboratory to wide deployment will depend on further testing, regulatory engagement, and the willingness of utilities to invest in unfamiliar treatment infrastructure. Those questions remain open.