Researchers Develop Method to Track Forever Chemicals to Their Source
https://www.ecowatch.com/forever-chemicals-source-tracking.html
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a new method to trace the source of forever chemicals, like organofluorine compounds, in the environment. These chemicals, commonly found in pharmaceuticals and pesticides, are notoriously hard to break down, earning their “forever” nickname. Traditional tracking methods fall short because they rely on breaking apart molecules, which isn’t feasible with these strong chemical bonds. Instead, the researchers used nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to identify isotopes without destroying the compounds. This new approach could be a game-changer in identifying the origins of these pollutants, helping to track their movement and even detect counterfeit pharmaceuticals.