STEVENS POINT, Wis. — Wisconsin researchers are leading the way in studying a “natural” way to solve PFAS contaminations to better protect our water supply.

PFAS, otherwise known as “forever chemicals,” are found in a variety of everyday products as well as in soil and water.

What You Need To Know

  • Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point have identified cannabis hemp and alfalfa as candidates to help clean up PFAS

  • PFAS, otherwise known as “forever chemicals,” are found in a variety of everyday products as well as in soil and water

  • Hemp and alfalfa have already been proven to absorb contaminants like lead and arsenic

  • The UW-Stevens Point research team won the Innovation Grant to do this work over two years

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point have identified cannabis hemp and alfalfa as candidates to help clean up PFAS.

Ann Impullitti, an associate professor in the Biology Department, is one of the five faculty members leading the study.

“Hemp and alfalfa are both known for phytoremediation and even beyond that they are both important in terms of Wisconsin and agriculture economics,” said Impullitti.

Phytoremediation is a process in which plants are used to clean up the environment. Hemp and alfalfa have already been proven to absorb contaminants like lead and arsenic.

Impullitti said she believes they’ll do the same with PFAS.

To study this, researchers are using a greenhouse environment to mix PFAS into soil. Then they’re planting hemp and alfalfa on those PFAS-contaminated sites.

“Looking at the plants to see where PFAS are concentrated, so are they concentrated in the roots versus the buds in terms of cannabis with the stems in the vegetative portions, same thing with alfalfa,” said Impullitti.

The UW-Stevens Point research team won the Innovation Grant to do this work over the span of two years.

Chemistry professor Joe Mondloch will be in charge of extracting the PFAS that the hemp and alfalfa plants absorb.

“We are hopeful to have some good initial results that are suggestive that we can remove PFAS from soil both in the greenhouse atmosphere and also out in the field and if after those two years we’re successful and then we get to apply for another round of funding with the state through the Innovation Grant,” said Mondloch.

The aim is that hemp and alfalfa would absorb the PFAS into their leaves and stems; then the plants would be picked and burned as a form of PFAS clean-up that would reduce disturbance to soil.

Impullitti said she loves including her students in this work.

“The best thing about my job is being in the lab with students and teaching them some of the techniques that we use and how we can help to clean up the soils,” said Impullitti.

It’s helping lay the groundwork for a future free of harmful forever chemicals in the soil and drinking supply.

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