Chemistry Student Plays Role in Groundbreaking Research on “Forever Chemicals” in Wastewater
Editor’s note: This story references a grant awarded in 2023. Furst is now at 4Va partner school Virginia Tech.
One of the most pressing issues in human and ecological health is the abundance of poly and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and phthalate esters (PAEs) in our ecosystem—two classes of synthetic chemicals known as “forever chemicals.” In addition to their destructive nature affecting wildlife, soil, and agriculture, they are also responsible for causing human health problems such as liver damage, thyroid disease, obesity, fertility issues, and cancer.
At George Mason University, Civil, Environmental and Infrastructure Engineering Assistant Professor Kirin Emlet Furst is tackling this global issue by investigating how PFAS and PAEs behave in water treatment and wastewater reuse systems. Her research, supported by a 4-VA@Mason grant, focuses specifically on the air-water interface in these treatment systems—a critical but understudied area where these chemicals may persist and spread.
Joining Furst’s research is Virginia Tech wastewater specialist Zhiwu (Drew) Wang, George Mason graduate student Meghana Kuppa, and undergraduate chemistry major Ethan Gasper. Gasper, who joined the project as a student researcher, played a significant role in supporting Kuppa’s experimental work in the lab.
“My work involved the hands-on experimentation done in the laboratory for this project,” explained Gasper. “This included preparing the wastewater scum samples for solid phase extraction (SPE), total oxidizable precursor assay (TOPS), and elution. Once preparation of the samples is complete, they were analyzed in an LC-MS/MS to determine PFAS concentration in the wastewater scum samples.”
The research team collected water and scum samples—a material that accumulates at the air-water interface—from tanks in a full-scale wastewater treatment plant. Their goal was to understand how PFAS and PAEs partition in the system and how the air-water interface might contribute to their persistence through the treatment process.
“Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were a common material for non-stick and water-resistant products,” Gasper said, “however, they have been found to have very toxic effects on humans and remain persistent within the environment. Wastewater treatment plants receive significant inputs of PFAS from stormwater runoff and domestic sewage, but the fate of PFAS within the plant is not well characterized. Therefore, this study is important to understand how wastewater scum affects the transportation of PFAS within wastewater treatment plants.”
Despite the challenges of developing advanced analytical methods, the team made several critical discoveries. High concentrations of PFAS were found in scum samples collected during both primary and secondary treatment processes—particularly in primary scum, which contained oily substances and particulates that interfered with precise measurements. Secondary treatment samples revealed that PFAS not only remain in the treated water but may also escape into the facility air, further complicating removal efforts. While fewer PAEs were found, the research confirmed that these compounds can bind to organic material in scum, making them similarly hard to eliminate.
Furst emphasized the significance of the findings and the collaborative effort behind them. “The 4-VA award empowered my group to pursue this new line of research and helped to support Kuppa’s innovative thesis projects,” she said.
For Gasper, the project was also an invaluable educational experience. “Participation in this research has provided me with hands-on learning opportunities to deepen my understanding of real-world applications for my major,” he said. “This allowed me to relate what I have learned in research to the classes I am taking, providing me with a connected educational experience at George Mason.”
As efforts continue to address the widespread impact of “forever chemicals,” the work of researchers like Furst, and the emerging scientists she mentors, represents a critical step forward in developing effective, science-based solutions.
