Local researchers at NDSU make breakthrough with the use of egg whites on PFAS

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Over the last two years, researchers at several universities, including NDSU, have been tackling the removal of PFAS from contaminated water. And in a most recent breakthrough, the team has discovered the albumin or protein from egg whites could help with that removal.

“Why is this important? Important because it gives us a low-cost option. Also, it will add an ergonomic pillow to those people who are in the poultry industry. I think there are two benefits for this work,” said Prof. Achintya Bezbaruah, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

PFAS is used widely in many products, including nonstick cookware, lipstick, and waterproof fabrics. But exposure to certain PFAS has been linked to serious health risks, including cancer, liver damage, and immune system disruption.

“Right now, there is no established, accepted, low-cost, or official system to remove PFAS, that’s one. So right now they use activated carbon as the most popular one… So detection is so small. We have been able to capture in a small scale. I think that’s important about doing this work,” said Bezbaruah.

The two students who are on the team at NDSU had little to no knowledge about PFAS prior to starting the research. But now, they hope they will be able to make the water cleaner.

“It’s actually on us, that we dump a lot of stuff in the environment, and then we kind of blame nature of it’s not being able to recover that. But it’s now upon us that we take the stand to kind of go back a few steps and try to erase the damage we’ve already done,” said Shirsa Mazumdar, Student.

While research is still being conducted, they hope they are able to produce a filter to prevent PFAS.

The team plans to present their data at a conference in November.