Project Grant 2516839

This $419,942 Project Grant award from the National Science Foundation's Engineering program (CFDA 47.041) will fund research by the Research Foundation for the State University of New York (RF-SUNY) to investigate the bioaccumulation and uptake mechanisms of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known as "forever chemicals," in edible crops such as radish, lettuce, and soybean. The project aims to understand how the physicochemical properties of various PFAS compounds influence their accumulation and distribution within these food crops, as well as the potential impact on food quality and safety. The research team will use advanced analytical tools to quantify and visualize PFAS uptake and accumulation in different plant organs, and conduct biochemical tests to determine how PFAS exposure affects the plants' nutrient production and absorption. The findings will fill a key knowledge gap on PFAS movement within plants and implications for food quality, which can inform improved environmental standards and safer agricultural practices to protect public health. The project also includes outreach activities to engage students and educate the public on these important environmental contaminants.