A Critical Review on PFAS Removal from Water: Removal Mechanism and Future Challenges

Abstract

Per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been extensively employed in a broad range of manufacturing and consumer goods due to their highly persistent nature. PFAS exposure is recognized to pose serious health hazards; therefore, addressing PFAS pollution in water has become a top priority for public health and environmental protection organizations. This review article focuses on the efficiency of different removal techniques (activated carbon, biochar, ion exchange resin, membrane filtration, reverse osmosis, metal-organic frameworks, foam fractionation, ozone fractionation, and destruction techniques) for eliminating different types of short- and long-chain PFAS from water. Hydrophobicity and electrostatic interactions are revealed to be the primary mechanisms for the elimination of PFAS. The efficiency of all techniques to eradicate short-chain PFAS is comparatively lower compared to long-chain PFAS. The destruction techniques are the most efficient but have some drawbacks, including the formation of PFAS precursors and high operational costs. According to the findings from the study, it is anticipated that combined methods will be required to effectively remediate PFAS-contaminated water.

Computational Design of Sorbent Materials for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Remediation

“…Filtration and adsorption, foam fractionation, and thermal treatment are some promising approaches developed throughout recent years. 5 Filtration and adsorption remove PFAS from the medium and keep them in a concentrated form. Foam fractionation takes advantage of the excellent surfactant properties of PFAS compounds and drives PFAS to form a concentrated foam layer at the air−water interface to separate and remove PFAS from contaminated water.…”

“…Various potential PFAS remediation methods have been explored and investigated. Filtration and adsorption, foam fractionation, and thermal treatment are some promising approaches developed throughout recent years . Filtration and adsorption remove PFAS from the medium and keep them in a concentrated form.…”

An Atomic and Molecular Insight into How PFOA Reduces α-Helicity, Compromises Substrate Binding, and Creates Binding Pockets in a Model Globular Protein

“…The calyx serves as a binding pocket for hydrophobic ligands, including retinol (vitamin A), fatty acids (palmitic, docosahexanoic, oleic, and others), and organic molecules 8-anilinonaphthalene-1-sulfonic acid (ANS) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). − It is interesting to note that in a series of elegant experiments, both the secondary structure and the interactions of BLG with α-lactalbumin were examined against a number of ligands including surfactants and nano-curcumin. While BLG secondary structure was found to be affected by the addition of surfactants and other ligands, the role of nano-curcumin unearthed in the protein:protein interactions provides valuable information in food technology. , Functional roles attributed to BLG include that of ligand transport, neonatal vision and brain development, modulation of immune responses, and potential enhancement of cell proliferation. , Despite its ban in 2019, PFOA continues to pervade the biome via its persistent presence in soil, water, animals, burn sites (for firemen training), and plants, even though significant efforts have been made for their removal from soil and water using various technologies. Their entry into the food chain occurs directly through ingestion of PFAS-contaminated water, food, and beverages that in turn may have been in contact with PFAS-containing substances. − …”