In July 2022, the US-based biotechnology specialist Allonnia announced the discovery of a game-changing protein that can accurately and quickly detect PFOA (a type of PFAS) down to parts per trillion levels. The US EPA's publication of an unexpectedly stringent new health advisory on PFAS levels in drinking water has underscored a need for accurate detection of low concentration PFAS compounds that is greater than ever before. Yet to date, there is no automated sensor commercially available that can meet this need. Currently, analysis for these harmful and persistent contaminants is done using complex laboratory samples which take several days to yield results. "One of the big challenges with PFAS is you have low concentrations in huge volumes of water," explained Kent Sorenson, chief technology officer at Allonnia. This makes accurate detection very difficult.
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