Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

Being both hydrophobic and hydrophilic, I assume most standard activated carbon filters cannot remove them? I guess that just leaves reverse osmosis.


No, activated carbon filters are actually very effective at removing PFAs. The filters work mechanically by trapping the molecules which works well because of the long carbon chain in PFAs. This mechanism is far simpler than reactions in protein chemistry because it doesn't require complex interactions with a solvent (which is where being both hydrophobic and hydrophillic becomes a problem).


Well that makes me feel a lot better about some of the high readings around me, since I already carbon filter most of our water.




Consider applying for YC's Winter 2026 batch! Applications are open till Nov 10

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: