SBIR-STTR Award

Per and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) are chemically and biologically resistant organic compounds that are persistent bio accumulative and highly toxic. Owing to their widespread contamination of public drinking water supplies on June 21 2022 the US Environmental Protection Agency announced new interim lifetime drinking water health advisories of 0.004 nanograms per liter and 0.02 nanograms per liter for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) respectively. Beyond direct human consumption of PFAS- contaminated drinking water the use of PFAS-impacted water resources used to meet livestock drinking water demands has led to numerous cases of agricultural product contamination (e.g. tainted dairy products) as well as growing public concern over fish meat and poultry quality. Similarly continued use of PFAS-impacted irrigation water has increased contamination of ruralpublic drinking water supplies and soil quality further exacerbating human exposure to these toxic pollutants. The objective of the STTR Phase I research proposal is to develop a biochar-based electrochemical device for the detection of PFAS. This portable device can utilize electrochemical impedance spectroscopic measurements to quantify PFOA/PFOS at picomolar concentrations inground water surface water and reclaimed wastewater. The applied biochar is produced from ligninan abundant aromatic macromolecule component in biomass such as agricultural and forestry residues. Ensuring the availability of high-quality water resources supports both public health and the economic livelihood of rural communities.