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Dr. Scott Simpson, professor of Chemistry at St. Bonaventure University, along with researchers from the University at Buffalo and Stony Brook University, continue to fight on the front line in their effort to rid dangerous chemicals from water.

They have published an article titled “Synthesis and Evaluation of Cationic Porphyrin-Based Organic Nanocages for the Removal of 38 PFAS from Water: Experimental, Theoretical, and Eco-toxicological Insights” in the journal ACS ES&T Engineering.

Polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are chemicals found in household items from makeup products and nonstick cookware to menstrual products and ski wax. They are known for their stubborn persistence — both in the environment and in the bloodstreams of the people exposed to them — and have been linked to a higher risk of reproductive challenges, developmental disabilities and certain forms of cancer.

Simpson’s research with his SUNY collaborators presents cationic porphyrin-based molecular nanocages as a rapid and selective solution for removing PFAS mixtures from water. These nanocages achieve over 90% removal efficiency in complex water matrices and are recyclable — outperforming traditional materials like activated carbon.

“Plus, early eco-toxicological tests established their safety threshold, ensuring we address PFAS contamination without introducing new environmental risks,” Simpson said. “This is a step forward in sustainable water treatment.”

New York has already instituted bans on PFAS in products like firefighting foam, paper-based food packaging, apparel and carpets.

At a hearing last month convened by the state Assembly’s committee on Environmental Conservation, experts proposed additional means of monitoring and controlling the presence of PFAS in New York’s waterways.

Last year, the EPA acknowledged that any amount of PFAS made water unsafe to drink, and called for municipalities to impose legally enforceable limits. Under the 2017 $2.5 billion Clean Water Infrastructure Act, the state Department of Environmental Conservation was tasked with monitoring the presence of PFAS at wastewater treatment sites across the state.

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About the University: The nation’s first Franciscan university, St. Bonaventure University is a community committed to transforming the lives of our students inside and outside the classroom, inspiring in them a lifelong commitment to service and citizenship. Out of 167 regional universities in the North, St. Bonaventure was ranked #6 for value and #14 for innovation by U.S. News and World Report (2024).