River Scroll
It flows through our rivers,
our soils, our bodies.
not a parasite
not a virus
A molecule discovered by accident in 1938

PFAS
“the eternal pollutant”

PFAS molecule



Diver animation

These molecules contain the carbon–fluorine bond, one of the strongest single bonds in organic chemistry, making them highly resistant to breakdown by bacteria and other organisms.

PFAS were quickly developed by industries for their unique properties:

Prop 1
Water- and oil-repellent
PFAS repel both water and oil. This dual resistance made them highly popular in coatings, textiles, and food packaging.
Prop 2
Thermal and chemical stability
PFAS remain stable even at high temperatures and against many chemical reactions. This unique property explains their massive use in firefighting foams, electronics, and other demanding industrial applications.
Prop 3
Extreme persistence
Because of the carbon–fluorine bond—one of the strongest in organic chemistry—PFAS hardly degrade in the environment. That’s why they are often called “forever chemicals”.

At first seen as a technological revolution, PFAS quickly spread into countless products...

PFAS Object 1 PFAS Object 2 PFAS Object 3 PFAS Object 4 PFAS Object 5 PFAS Object 6 PFAS Object 7 PFAS Object 8 PFAS Object 9 PFAS Object 10 PFAS Object 11 PFAS Object 12 PFAS Object 13 PFAS Object 1 PFAS Object 2 PFAS Object 3 PFAS Object 4 PFAS Object 5 PFAS Object 6 PFAS Object 7 PFAS Object 8 PFAS Object 9 PFAS Object 10 PFAS Object 11 PFAS Object 12 PFAS Object 13 PFAS Object 1 PFAS Object 2 PFAS Object 3 PFAS Object 4 PFAS Object 5 PFAS Object 6 PFAS Object 7 PFAS Object 8 PFAS Object 9 PFAS Object 10 PFAS Object 11 PFAS Object 12 PFAS Object 13 PFAS Object 1 PFAS Object 2 PFAS Object 3 PFAS Object 4 PFAS Object 5 PFAS Object 6 PFAS Object 7 PFAS Object 8 PFAS Object 9 PFAS Object 10 PFAS Object 11 PFAS Object 12 PFAS Object 13 PFAS Object 1 PFAS Object 2 PFAS Object 3 PFAS Object 4 PFAS Object 5 PFAS Object 6 PFAS Object 7 PFAS Object 8 PFAS Object 9 PFAS Object 10 PFAS Object 11 PFAS Object 12 PFAS Object 13 PFAS Object 1 PFAS Object 2 PFAS Object 3 PFAS Object 4 PFAS Object 5 PFAS Object 6 PFAS Object 7 PFAS Object 8 PFAS Object 9 PFAS Object 10 PFAS Object 11 PFAS Object 12 PFAS Object 13 PFAS Object 1 PFAS Object 2 PFAS Object 3 PFAS Object 4 PFAS Object 5 PFAS Object 6 PFAS Object 7 PFAS Object 8 PFAS Object 9 PFAS Object 10 PFAS Object 11 PFAS Object 12 PFAS Object 13 PFAS Object 1 PFAS Object 2 PFAS Object 3 PFAS Object 4 PFAS Object 5 PFAS Object 6 PFAS Object 7 PFAS Object 8 PFAS Object 9 PFAS Object 10 PFAS Object 11 PFAS Object 12 PFAS Object 13 PFAS Object 1 PFAS Object 2 PFAS Object 3 PFAS Object 4 PFAS Object 5 PFAS Object 6 PFAS Object 7 PFAS Object 8 PFAS Object 9 PFAS Object 10 PFAS Object 11 PFAS Object 12 PFAS Object 13 PFAS Object 1 PFAS Object 2 PFAS Object 3 PFAS Object 4 PFAS Object 5 PFAS Object 6 PFAS Object 7 PFAS Object 8 PFAS Object 9 PFAS Object 10 PFAS Object 11 PFAS Object 12 PFAS Object 13 PFAS Object 1 PFAS Object 2 PFAS Object 3 PFAS Object 4 PFAS Object 5 PFAS Object 6 PFAS Object 7 PFAS Object 8 PFAS Object 9 PFAS Object 10 PFAS Object 11 PFAS Object 12 PFAS Object 13 PFAS Object 1 PFAS Object 2 PFAS Object 3 PFAS Object 4 PFAS Object 5 PFAS Object 6 PFAS Object 7 PFAS Object 8 PFAS Object 9 PFAS Object 10 PFAS Object 11 PFAS Object 12 PFAS Object 13 PFAS Object 1 PFAS Object 2 PFAS Object 3 PFAS Object 4 PFAS Object 5 PFAS Object 6 PFAS Object 7 PFAS Object 8 PFAS Object 9 PFAS Object 10 PFAS Object 11 PFAS Object 12 PFAS Object 13 PFAS Object 1 PFAS Object 2 PFAS Object 3 PFAS Object 4 PFAS Object 5 PFAS Object 6 PFAS Object 7 PFAS Object 8 PFAS Object 9 PFAS Object 10 PFAS Object 11 PFAS Object 12 PFAS Object 13
Factory

But today, they are found everywhere: in the air we breathe, the soil we cultivate, the food we eat, and even in our blood.

Their presence is linked to major health risks,

PFAS Health Risks

Weak immunity – Developmental problems – Cancer risks

Hormonal disruption, miscarriage, elevated cholesterol levels, liver damage...

What can we do?
In nature, some bacteria produce enzymes – tiny molecular machines that can snap carbon-fluorine bonds, one of the strongest in existence.
Loupe Bacteria inside Loupe
Bacteria Enzyme PFAS
They work on one. Maybe two. But add a third and they stop cold.

The team's mission?

Take those natural enzymes – and evolve them.

make them

SMARTER FASTER STRONGER

Smarter Faster Stronger

but first

Loupe PFAS
Locate the PFAS – the hidden threat.
Bacteria PFAS

Transform bacteria into competent fluorescent sensors, lighting up wherever PFAS may be hiding.

Because not all bonds are meant to be together...

Not working out

Throughout this project, we are addressing 5 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

Goal 3
Good health and well-being
Reducing exposure to PFAS to protect present and future generations.
Goal 6
Clean water and sanitation
Restoring the purity of our rivers, one molecule at a time.
Goal 11
Sustainable cities and communities
Building cleaner urban environments by eliminating invisible pollutants.
Goal 14
Life below water
Preserving biodiversity by breaking down forever chemicals in water.
Goal 15
Life on land
Preserving biodiversity by breaking down forever chemicals in ecosystems.
River
We broke a bond.
Now let’s break it down.