Environmental Science & Technology (2026). DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5c16178"> Schematic diagram of the open-system cylindrical photochemical reactor. Credit: Environmental Science & Technology (2026). DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5c16178 PFAS, often called "forever chemicals," are notoriously difficult to remove from the environment. Their extreme chemical stability means they can persist in water and the human body for decades, creating a major global pollution challenge. Now, researchers have made an important discovery that could change how we tackle the problem. In a new study , scientists found that PFAS can be broken down using intense light, without adding chemicals. But the real breakthrough is how this happens. The study shows that hydrogen radicals —highly reactive species formed from water under UV light—play a central role in the process. The findings are published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology . This is significant because it challenges previous assumptions.…