As governments tighten regulations on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—often called “forever chemicals”—the pressure to develop effective water treatment technologies has never been greater. PFAS are linked to serious health risks and are now regulated at extremely low concentrations in drinking water across the United States, Europe, Canada, and beyond.
In response, scientists have developed innovative materials designed to remove PFAS from water more efficiently than existing methods. Some of the most promising new technologies rely on fluorinated sorbents—materials that contain fluorine-based components similar to PFAS themselves. While these materials may offer technical advantages, new research warns they could unintentionally worsen the very problem they aim to solve.
THE PROMISE & PARADOX OF FLUORINATED SORBENTS
Traditional PFAS treatment methods, such as granular activated carbon and ion-exchange resins, often struggle with short-chain PFAS or require costly regeneration. New fluorinated sorbents aim to solve this by exploiting fluorine–fluorine (F···F) interactions, which can selectively attract PFAS molecules and improve removal efficiency.
But this approach creates a troubling paradox: using PFAS-like materials to remove PFAS. Many of these sorbents contain per- or polyfluorinated structures that fall under international definitions of PFAS themselves. As the authors note, this risks perpetuating a closed loop of “forever chemicals” rather than breaking it.
ARE FLUORINE- FLUORINE INTERACTIONS REALLY NECESSARY?
One key debate centers on whether F···F interactions are essential for effective PFAS removal. While some studies show improved adsorption, others find no benefit—or even reduced performance—when fluorinated components are added, especially in real-world water conditions with competing contaminants.
Importantly, several non-fluorinated materials, including metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs), have demonstrated comparable or superior PFAS removal using electrostatic attraction, hydrogen bonding, and hydrophobic interactions alone . This suggests fluorination is not a technical necessity, but a design choice with potential consequences.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH RISKS ACROSS THE LIFECYCLE
The greatest concern is not performance, but secondary pollution. The paper highlights risks at every stage of a fluorinated sorbent’s lifecycle:
- Production: Many starting reagents are already PFAS or PFAS-related compounds, and their manufacture has historically been linked to environmental contamination .
- Use: Fluorinated materials can leach PFAS or fluorinated byproducts during water treatment. Laboratory studies show that PFAS adsorption can even trigger the release of fluorinated ligands from sorbents into treated water.
- Disposal: Landfilling or incineration may release persistent breakdown products, including toxic fluorinated gases and long-lived PFAS derivatives, disproportionately affecting nearby communities.
From an environmental justice perspective, these risks raise serious questions about who ultimately bears the cost of “advanced” remediation technologies.
A CALL FOR SAFER, MORE SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS
Rather than doubling down on fluorinated materials, there should be a shift toward fluorine-free PFAS removal technologies. Promising alternatives already exist and can achieve high removal efficiencies without introducing new persistent chemicals into the environment.
Also recommended:
- Standardized testing conditions that reflect real-world water systems
- Life-cycle assessments (LCAs) to evaluate environmental, energy, and carbon impacts before deployment
- Stronger regulatory oversight, including consideration of fluorinated sorbents under existing international PFAS conventions
BOTTOM LINE
The fight against PFAS is not just a technical challenge, it is a governance and ethics issue. As this research makes clear, solutions that rely on PFAS-like chemistry risk reinforcing the same cycle of persistence and pollution that regulators are trying to end.
True progress will require innovation that is not only effective, but precautionary, transparent, and aligned with long-term environmental health. In the race to remove forever chemicals, the cure must not become another version of the disease.
Reference: Liu, S., Letcher, R.J., Diamond, M.L. et al. Unforeseen risks due to the use of fluorinated materials for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance removal. Nat Commun 17, 108 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-67596-6