Toxic No More: The Reactor That Destroys PFAS

A new technology developed by the University of Massachusetts Amherst and clean-tech company Aclarity aims to eliminate PFAS, the industrial chemicals contaminating drinking water supplies across the US.

Unlike traditional methods that capture these chemicals for later disposal, Aclarity’s system destroys PFAS molecules through an electrochemical process. The reactor uses electric currents to break the strong chemical bonds, neutralising their toxicity on site.

“This isn’t about shifting the problem. It’s about ending it,” said Julie Bliss Mullen, co-founder of Aclarity. The company said its compact and modular design allows the system to be installed in large municipal plants as well as smaller treatment facilities.

PFAS, or per and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are widely used in nonstick cookware, firefighting foams and water-repellent fabrics. Their chemical stability has made them difficult to remove from the environment, with exposure linked to cancers and immune system problems.

Demand for long-term PFAS removal is rising as the US Environmental Protection Agency prepares to enforce new drinking water standards. The federal agency is expected to set strict limits on six PFAS compounds, creating new compliance pressures for water utilities and industrial plants.

Global engineering group Jacobs is reviewing Aclarity’s system for potential inclusion in its projects. With utilities facing higher regulatory costs and legal claims, industry interest in permanent PFAS destruction methods is growing.

Remaining challenges include improving energy efficiency and confirming the system’s durability at commercial scale. However, the technology has already received the 2025 Better World Project Award for its potential environmental benefits.

Aclarity expects further commercial deployments as regulatory deadlines approach. The company said its reactor provides a cost-effective alternative to existing filtration and disposal methods, with the ability to remove PFAS permanently from water supplies.