PFAS are a large group of human-made chemicals known for their resistance to heat, water, and oil. Because they do not easily break down, they are often called “forever chemicals.” PFAS accumulate in soil, water, and living organisms, and several compounds in this group pose environmental and health risks even at very low levels.

Biochar and PFAS are connected through biochar’s growing use as a sustainable adsorbent for removing PFAS from contaminated water and soil. Its porous, carbon-rich structure and surface chemistry allow PFAS molecules to attach through pore trapping, electrostatic attraction, and hydrophobic interactions. When engineered or modified, biochar can capture even difficult short-chain PFAS more effectively than many conventional materials.