One of New Zealand’s taonga plants, harakeke, shows promise as a treatment for removing PFAS from drinking water. In lab experiments at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, chemically treated harakeke outperformed other water treatment methods that were tested. “Our research findings suggest there is a potential for developing a cost- effective PFAS treatment approach based on this native plant,” stated Dr Lokesh Padhye, Associate Director of Emerging Contaminants Research at the New York State Center for Clean Water Technology. “There is more work to be done, but the sustainability and availability of the material make it particularly promising.” The scale of the PFAS problem Known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), these chemicals are among the greatest environmental challenges. Linked to cancer and reduced fertility, PFAS are in the blood of humans and animals around the world. Because they do not break down easily, PFAS are notoriously difficult to remove. The incredible and long-standing versatility of harakeke “Capturing forever chemicals would only add to the story of harakeke’s remarkable versatility,” commented Professor Melanie Kah, …