Shea Butter Removes Forever Chemicals From Water

Scientists just turned a skin care staple into a water cleaning superhero.

Researchers at Brown University found that compounds derived from shea butter can effectively remove PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl substances) from polluted water. These "forever chemicals" have contaminated water supplies worldwide since the 1950s and have been linked to serious health problems including liver disease, elevated cholesterol, and increased cancer risk.

The breakthrough solves a major problem with current water treatment methods. Existing techniques use toxic chemicals to remove PFAS, essentially swapping one poison for another.

"You're solving the PFAS problem, but the last thing you want to do is replace it with a new one," said Craig Klevan, one of the study's authors. The team focused on finding alternatives already proven safe for humans by exploring FDA-approved food additives and cosmetic ingredients.

The new method uses foam fractionation, which sounds complex but works elegantly. Air bubbles are added to contaminated water, and the shea-derived compounds bind with PFAS molecules to create "ion pairs" that latch onto rising bubbles and get extracted from the water.

The shea-based surfactant proved far less toxic than conventional chemicals. It only showed toxicity at the highest concentrations tested, researcher Carolina Gomez Casas explained.

Why This Inspires

This discovery shows how solutions to our biggest environmental challenges might be hiding in everyday products. The team's approach of looking to already-approved safe substances demonstrates smart, practical innovation that considers human health at every step.

The technology could integrate into existing foam fractionation systems relatively easily. Professor Kurt Pennell noted that the technical barriers are low since the infrastructure already exists.

The team continues working to refine the method, particularly for removing shorter-chain PFAS that don't rise to the surface as readily. They're developing mathematical models to predict which surfactants will work most efficiently for different contamination scenarios.

PFAS contamination affects drinking water for millions of Americans, making this discovery particularly timely. These chemicals earned their "forever" nickname because they don't break down naturally and persist in the environment for generations.

The beauty of this solution lies in its simplicity: using something already gentle enough for human skin to heal the water we drink.