Abstract
Dr. Ali Ling discusses per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of human-made chemicals commonly known as "forever chemicals" due to their resistance to breaking down in the environment. These substances are found in a wide range of everyday products, including textiles, building materials, carpets, flooring, electronics, paper products, children's toys, cosmetics, and more. Because PFAS are so widespread and persist indefinitely, they pose long-term environmental risks, even though their toxicities vary. While there is a lot of research into the treatment of PFAS already in the environment, Dr. Ling's research focuses on understanding the broader impacts of PFAS treatment and exploring ways to significantly restrict PFAS use and emissions before they enter the environment.