New technology tested for removing, destroying hazardous chemicals from soil and groundwater
University of Rhode Island hydrogeologist Thomas Boving and colleagues at EnChem Engineering Inc. are testing a proprietary new technology for quickly removing and destroying hazardous chemical compounds from soil and groundwater. If proven effective, the technology could soon be applied to cleaning up the abundant per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, collectively referred to as PFAS and forever chemicals, that contaminate drinking water supplies serving about one-third of Americans.
PFAS compounds have been in use for more than 60 years and are found in common household goods like non-stick cookware, stain-proof carpets and pizza boxes, as well as in firefighting foams and other industrial products. Because they do not break down easily in the environment, they find their way into human and animal tissues and can lead to many serious diseases.
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IMAGE: From left: University of Illinois researchers Zeynep Madak-Erdogan, associate professor of nutrition; Rohit Bhargava, director of the Cancer Center; and Colleen Bushell, director of the Healthcare Innovation Program Office at. view more
Credit: University of Illinois.
URBANA, Ill. ¬- When agrochemical and pharmaceutical companies develop new products, they must test extensively for potential toxicity before obtaining regulatory approval. This testing usually involves lengthy and expensive animal studies.
A research team at University of Illinois has developed a gene biomarker identification technique that cuts the testing process down to a few days while maintaining a high level of accuracy.
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Scientists and toxicology experts say PFAS chemicals known to affect the immune system could impact the efficacy of a COVID-19 vaccine. While the link has not yet been cemented, they are concerned that communities with high exposures to PFAS may be more vulnerable during the pandemic.
Dr. Jamie DeWitt is associate professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology at East Carolina University.
“What we understand then about COVID and PFAS on the immune system is that people with higher levels of PFAS in their blood are at increased risk of immunotoxicity,” DeWitt says.
Dr. Linda Birnbaum is former director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and National Toxicology Program.
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Antisense & RNAi Therapeutics Global Market Report 2020-30: COVID-19 Growth and Change provides the strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the global antisense & RNAi therapeutics market.
Major players in the antisense & RNAi therapeutics market are Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Benitec Biopharma Ltd., Gene Signal, GlaxoSmithKline Plc, Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Marina Biosciences, Quark Pharmaceuticals, Sanofi S.A, Acuitas Therapeutics and Antisense Therapeutics Ltd.
The global antisense & RNAi therapeutics market is expected to decline from $1.14 billion in 2019 to $1.11 billion in 2020 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -2.89%. The decline is mainly due to the COVID-19 outbreak that has led to restrictive containment measures involving social distancing, remote working, and the closure of industries and other commercial activities resulting in oper