Just over an hour outside Atlanta, Dalton – Georgia’s so-called “Carpet Capital of the World” – has become a focal point for concerns about PFAS, a group of long-lasting industrial chemicals increasingly found in waterways and drinking water. 
 

While PFAS contamination has drawn widespread attention, researchers at the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) are working on practical solutions to improve how these chemicals are detected, removed from water, and ultimately destroyed. Their work focuses on three key areas: detection, removal, and destruction technologies that aim to give utilities, businesses, and communities clearer, faster insight into where PFAS is — and what to do about it.  
 

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a large family of human-made chemicals that includes thousands of different compounds. They have been used for around nine decades to make products resistant to water, stains, and heat. They show up in many items, ranging from firefighting foams, dental floss, and carpets to nonstick cookware and outdoor clothing. PFAS materials don’t break down easily in the environment, possibly persisting for hundreds or even thousands of years.
 

Studies have linked PFAS exposure to serious health risks, including some cancers, immune system effects, and heart disease. But unlike many contaminants, the primary concern about these chemicals is not a single, high-level exposure. Instead, it’s long-term, low-level exposure.  

Read more in the GTRI Newsroom