Current Review of Increasing Animal Health Threat of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS): Harms, Limitations, and Alternatives to Manage Their Toxicity

Abstract

Perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS), more than 4700 in number, are a group of widely used man-made chemicals that accumulate in living things and the environment over time. They are known as “forever chemicals” because they are extremely persistent in our environment and body. Because PFAS have been widely used for many decades, their presence is evident globally, and their persistence and potential toxicity create concern for animals, humans and environmental health. They can have multiple adverse health effects, such as liver damage, thyroid disease, obesity, fertility problems, and cancer. The most significant source of living exposure to PFAS is dietary intake (food and water), but given massive industrial and domestic use, these substances are now punctually present not only domestically but also in the outdoor environment. For example, livestock and wildlife can be exposed to PFAS through contaminated water, soil, substrate, air, or food. In this review, we have analyzed and exposed the characteristics of PFAS and their various uses and reported data on their presence in the environment, from industrialized to less populated areas. In several areas of the planet, even in areas far from large population centers, the presence of PFAS was confirmed, both in marine and terrestrial animals (organisms). Among the most common PFAS identified are undoubtedly perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), two of the most widely used and, to date, among the most studied in terms of toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics. The objective of this review is to provide insights into the toxic potential of PFAS, their exposure, and related mechanisms.

The Inevitable Collapse of Advanced Industrial Society.

“…Fenton et al (2020 [38]) cite a variety of adverse health effects from specific PFAS, 'including altered immune and thyroid function, liver disease, lipid and insulin dysregulation, kidney disease, adverse reproductive and developmental outcomes, and cancer. ' Peritore et al (2023 [39]) point out that the 4,700 PFAS also have an adverse impact on marine and terrestrial animal healthon wildlife, farm stock and pets.…”

Rising Water, Rising Risks: The Hidden Dangers of Emerging Contaminants in Climate-Intensified Storms

“…Sewage overflows may contain nutrients (e.g., nitrogen and phosphorus), heavy metals (e.g., mercury, cadmium, lead, and copper), pathogens (e.g., bacteria, viruses, and protozoa), helminths, residues of PPCPs, and chemicals that leach from consumer products (e.g., microplastics and PFAS). Several studies have provided evidence indicating that microplastics pose both physical and chemical risks in aquatic environments and that PFAS (also known as forever chemicals) are bioaccumulative and cause numerous deleterious effects on humans and wildlife . Diversion of SSOs, floodwater, and road runoff to less flooded areas, including nearby water bodies (e.g., ocean and estuaries), can result in the spread of these pollutants into areas that may potentially harm vulnerable wildlife and human populations.…”

“…Several studies have provided evidence indicating that microplastics pose both physical and chemical risks in aquatic environments 3 and that PFAS (also known as forever chemicals) are bioaccumulative and cause numerous deleterious effects on humans and wildlife. 4 Diversion of SSOs, floodwater, and road runoff to less flooded areas, including nearby water bodies (e.g., ocean and estuaries), can result in the spread of these pollutants into areas that may potentially harm vulnerable wildlife and human populations. In addition to the contaminants in SSOs, pollutants associated with agricultural, municipal, and industrial activities (including construction and transportation) may include increased levels of heavy metals from paints and other construction materials, petroleum-related chemicals such as PAHs, pesticides and fertilizers, tire-derived products (e.g., 6PPD-quinone) that have been shown to be highly toxic to some fish species, 5 and many other unregulated chemicals that are considered CECs.…”

Review of Recent Computational Research on the Adsorption of PFASs with a Variety of Substrates

“…Although there has been some research into the degradation mechanisms and pathways of PFASs [ 5 , 50 ], in this review paper, we focus on summarizing recent computational research into the adsorption of PFASs using a variety of substrates. Most of the research, both experimentally and computationally, has focused on two specific PFAS compounds, perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), as well as their conjugate bases due to these being the most manufactured (now phased out of production) and environmentally detected PFASs [ 51 , 52 ]. Other PFAS compounds have also been studied to gain a better sense of the levels of adsorption across different types of PFASs featuring different characteristics, including perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS) and perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), though many more have been identified [ 53 ].…”