Center for PFAS Research

• Detection of multiple per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) using a biological brain-based gas sensor

  Published on May 9, 2026
  Insects’ advanced combinatorial coding mechanism at the level of olfactory sensory neurons enables highly sensitive and specific odor detection. Here, we harness the locust olfactory system to differentiate several PFAS.

• Bioaccumulation of PFOS Isomers in Transporter Proteins

  Published on January 8, 2026
  In this study, the bioaccumulation potential of linear PFOS and five different branched isomers in the long-chain fatty acid (LCFA) transport protein from Escherichia coli (E. coli) is investigated using molecular dynamics simulations.

• Source Fingerprinting of PFOA via Full- and Intramolecular Stable Isotope Ratios of Carbon Using Orbitrap-IRMS

  Published on December 13, 2025
  Scientists developed an electrospray ionization Orbitrap-IRMS method that can be used as a forensic tool for the source attribution of PFAS contaminants.

• Interaction of ADONA with neutral and charged clay interfaces: molecular insights

  Published on October 21, 2025
  Interfacial adsorption structures and dynamic properties of ADONA vary substantially between different mineral surfaces, and the adsorption mechanism strongly depends on the surface charge of the minerals examined.

• Gas Phase Thermochemistry for Perfluoroalkyl Carboxylic Acids

  Published on September 16, 2025
  Thermodynamic energies of perfluoroalkanoic acids have been predicted.

• Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in agricultural systems: Human dietary exposure via beef raised on corn stover from a field with contaminated biosolids

  Published on September 9, 2025
  Corn kernels accumulate little to no PFAS even when soil concentrations are elevated, direct measurement of PFAS in crops can reduce uncertainty in exposure and risk assessment, and PFOS can biomagnify via the soil-stover-cattle-human pathway.

• Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in agriculture: environmental fate, bioaccumulation and management

  Published on September 5, 2025
  This paper further briefs toxicological implications of PFAS to human and ecosystem health, highlights current remediation and mitigation strategies, and assesses regulatory frameworks governing PFAS in the agricultural environment.

• Adsorption and Dynamic Characteristics of PFAS Mixtures with Kaolinite: Molecular Insights into the Impact of Chain Length and Functional Group

  Published on July 10, 2025
  This study evaluates the impact of PFAS chain length and functionalities in a binary mixture on the interactions with soil minerals.

• Per and polyfluoroalkyl substances affect thyroid hormones for people with a history of exposure from drinking water

  Published on April 11, 2025
  Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a family of thousands of human-made chemicals with wide industrial and consumer use.

• Rethinking the science-policy interface for chemicals, waste, and pollution: Challenging core assumptions

  Published on April 8, 2025
  Negotiations are ongoing but fraught for designing a new global science-policy panel for chemicals and waste pollution. In this Perspectives article, we challenge three assumptions guiding these negotiations.

MSU Extension Articles

• PFAS contamination in Michigan septage

  Published on June 11, 2025
  The most effective way to reduce PFAS from wastewater entering our ground water, surface water or crops is to eliminate their usage whenever possible.

• How will PFAS impact the Michigan cattle industry?

  Published on October 14, 2022
  Forever chemicals are a known contaminant throughout Michigan that has been found in beef.