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Per and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) are chemically and biologically resistant industrial organic compounds that are bioaccumulative and highly toxic. Beyond direct human consumption of PFAS-contaminated drinking water, the use of PFAS-impacted water resources to meet livestock drinking water demands has led to numerous cases of agricultural product contamination as well as growing public concern over fish, meat, and poultry quality.

Similarly, continued use of PFAS-impacted irrigation water has increased the contamination of rural public drinking water supplies and the quality of agricultural soils, further exacerbating human exposure to these toxic pollutants.

The STTR Phase I research describes the development of a low-cost, biochar-based electrochemical device designed for accurate and rapid detection of PFAS compounds in rural water supplies. The portable pollutant detection device utilizes inexpensive lignin-based biochar macroelectrodes to selectively detect PFAS compounds of interest at a chemically modified adsorption surface. The degree and extent of PFAS adsorption will induce a quantifiable electrochemical response.

Comparison of the electrochemical response with statistically developed calibration curves will enable the device to rapidly quantify PFAS concentrations present in groundwater, surface water, and/or reclaimed wastewater.

Cache Environmental Laboratories, P.C

10.212 - Small Business Innovation Research

Institute of Bioenergy, Climate, and Environment (IBCE) [USDA - NIFA]

Logan, Utah 84321-6780 United States

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