Researchers at La Trobe University have developed a portable biosensor that could enable rapid, on-site detection of toxic “forever chemicals” in water, potentially transforming how contamination is monitored across Australia.
The device is designed to detect per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS – a group of more than 15,000 synthetic chemicals commonly used in products such as firefighting foams, food packaging and stain-resistant fabrics. PFAS are highly persistent in the environment and have been linked to serious health risks, including cancer.
The biosensor specifically targets perfluorooctanoic acid, or PFOA, which is among the most tightly regulated PFAS worldwide. The research was led by PhD student Henry Bellette alongside Dr Saimon Moraes Silva, director of La Trobe’s Biomedical and Environmental Sensor Technology Research Centre, and has been published in the journal ACS Sensors.
Bellette said existing testing methods limited how frequently and widely PFAS contamination could be monitored.
“Most PFAS testing relies on expensive laboratory equipment and specialist analysis, which makes regular monitoring difficult,” he said.
“This biosensor could be used on site and provides a simple yes or no result, allowing water to be screened quickly and easily.”
PFAS contamination has been identified at numerous sites across Australia, particularly where firefighting foams were historically used, including airports, military bases and fire stations. Current testing regimes often require samples to be transported to specialised laboratories, delaying results and increasing costs.
Dr Moraes Silva said portable screening technologies would be essential in managing long-term contamination risks.
“PFAS do not break down in the environment, so monitoring is an ongoing challenge,” he said.
“A portable screening tool could allow more frequent testing, particularly in regional and remote areas, and help identify where more detailed laboratory analysis is needed.”
The research team hopes the technology can eventually be integrated into a hand-held device suitable for environmental monitoring and routine water screening, supporting faster decision-making by regulators, utilities and site managers.
