In recent years, growing attention has been placed on a class of chemicals known as PFAS—often referred to as “forever chemicals” due to their persistence in the environment and the human body. Found in everything from industrial sites to drinking water, these substances pose complex challenges for scientists, policymakers, and communities alike—especially in states like New Jersey, where contamination concerns are especially acute.

To better understand the scope of this issue and the science behind it, Ajun Venkatesan, Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at New Jersey Institute of Technology, discusses over a decade of research experience, spanning the detection, capture, and destruction of PFAS in the environment. In this conversation, he breaks down why these chemicals are so difficult to manage, how they’ve spread globally—even to the most remote regions—and what it will take to effectively address their impact.

From cutting-edge technologies to the realities of contamination in New Jersey, this interview offers a clear and urgent look at one of today’s most pressing environmental challenges.