Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in groundwater: current understandings and challenges to overcome

Zhao, Zhen; Li, Jie; Zhang, Xianming; Wang, Leien; Wang, Jamin; Lin, Tian

doi:10.1007/s11356-022-20755-4

Cited by 16 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 190 publications

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“…When 364 groundwater measuring points in Hesse, Germany, were sampled for 21 different PFAS, contamination was found at 90% of the monitoring wells [113]. Zhao et al evaluated studies on groundwater investigations dating from 1999 to 2021 and found that short-chain PFAS and other alternatives to PFOA and PFOS are increasingly being detected [131]. A review from Johnson et al [132] lists C3-, C4-and C5 perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCA) with average groundwater concentrations of 2.2, 1.4 and 3.7 µg/L and C3-C5 perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids with 22, 4.9 and 25 µg/L, respectively, for the same period; the review comprises about 21,000 data points for sites distributed in 20 countries worldwide.…”

Section: Forever Chemicalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

PFAS: forever chemicals—persistent, bioaccumulative and mobile. Reviewing the status and the need for their phase out and remediation of contaminated sites

Brunn

Arnold²,

Körner

et al. 2023

Environ Sci Eur

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Background Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) have received increasing scientific and political attention in recent years. Several thousand commercially produced compounds are used in numerous products and technical processes. Due to their extreme persistence in the environment, humans and all other life forms are, therefore, increasingly exposed to these substances. In the following review, PFAS will be examined comprehensively. Results The best studied PFAS are carboxylic and sulfonic acids with chain lengths of C4 to C14, particularly perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS). These substances are harmful to aquatic fauna, insects, and amphibians at concentrations of a few µg/L or less, accumulate in organisms, and biomagnify in food webs. Humans, as the final link in numerous food chains, are subjected to PFAS uptake primarily through food and drinking water. Several PFAS have multiple toxic effects, particularly affecting liver, kidney, thyroid, and the immune system. The latter effect is the basis for the establishment of a tolerable weekly dose of only 4.4 ng/kg body weight for the sum of the four representatives PFOA, PFOS, perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in 2020. Exposure estimates and human biomonitoring show that this value is frequently reached, and in many cases exceeded. PFAS are a major challenge for analysis, especially of products and waste: single-substance analyses capture only a fragment of the large, diverse family of PFAS. As a consequence, sum parameters have gained increasing importance. The high mobility of per and polyfluorinated carboxylic and sulfonic acids makes soil and groundwater pollution at contaminated sites a problem. In general, short-chain PFAS are more mobile than long-chain ones. Processes for soil and groundwater purification and drinking water treatment are often ineffective and expensive. Recycling of PFAS-containing products such as paper and food packaging leads to carryover of the contaminants. Incineration requires high temperatures to completely destroy PFAS. After PFOA, PFOS and a few other perfluorinated carboxylic and sulfonic acids were regulated internationally, many manufacturers and users switched to other PFAS: short-chain representatives, per- and polyfluorinated oxo carboxylic acids, telomeric alcohols and acids. Analytical studies show an increase in environmental concentrations of these chemicals. Ultra-short PFAS (chain length C1–C3) have not been well studied. Among others, trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) is present globally in rapidly increasing concentrations. Conclusions The substitution of individual PFAS recognized as hazardous by other possibly equally hazardous PFAS with virtually unknown chronic toxicity can, therefore, not be a solution. The only answer is a switch to fluorine-free alternatives for all applications in which PFAS are not essential.

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Section: Forever Chemicalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

PFAS: forever chemicals—persistent, bioaccumulative and mobile. Reviewing the status and the need for their phase out and remediation of contaminated sites

Brunn

Arnold²,

Körner

et al. 2023

Environ Sci Eur

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“…Over 4000 PFAS have been used to manufacture paints, pesticide extenders, furniture, cosmetics, paper products, adhesives, waxes, firefighting foams, metal coatings, coal combustion, electronics, lubricants, non-stick cookware, polishes, fabrics, and carpets, as well as in caulks and grease-proof coatings for food packaging, such as microwaveable hamburger wrappers and popcorn bags (Birkholz et al, 2014;Jasrotia et al, 2021). Due to their global presence in various environmental matrices, biotas, and human populations, persistence, bioaccumulation potential, and possible adverse effects on living organisms, PFASs have drawn increasing attention as emerging pollutants in recent years (Giesy and Kannan, 2001;Silva et al, 2020;Zhao et al, 2022). According to numerous worldwide studies, in both rural and urban sites, a significant concentration of PFASs has been identified, even at great distances from the main possible sources (Teymourian et al, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In 2009, PFOS and related compounds were listed in the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Annex B, an international environmental treaty, signed in 2001, and effective from May 2004, aimed at eliminating or restricting the production and use of POPs. In 2017, PFOA was listed in Annex A for global regulation (Ahrens and Bundschuh, 2014;Zhao et al, 2022). In October 2019, the 15th meeting of the POPs Review Committee, in Italy, recommended the inclusion of perfluorohexyl sulfonate (PFHxS) in the list.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Toxicity of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances to aquatic vertebrates

Wang

et al. 2023

Front. Environ. Sci.

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Rapid industrial development and extensive use of chemicals have resulted in elevated concentrations of emerging contaminants worldwide, posing a substantial threat to the ecological environment and human health. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have been recognized as emerging pollutants that are widely distributed and accumulated in the environment and they have drawn the attention of scholars for several decades. The variety, long-term use, and long-distance transmission of PFASs have resulted in the ubiquitous contamination of global ecosystems, especially in aquatic environments. Ever since perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) were added to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), they have become the most typical, eye-catching, and frequently investigated PFASs. Owing to the high stability and bioaccumulation of PFASs, as well as the adverse impact on the endocrine, immune, and nervous systems, investigating their contamination levels, risk of transfer along the food chain, and ecotoxicity should be prioritized. In addition to the important evolutionary significance as primitive vertebrates and the main consumers of aquatic environment, fishes generally exist in various aquatic food chains from the bottom to the top and occupy a critical position in terms of aquatic ecology protection; while amphibians, as the key link from aquatic to terrestrial organisms, are highly sensitive to different environmental pollutants. This review is a comprehensive summary of the toxic effects and toxicity-related factors of PFASs on aquatic vertebrates, mainly Pisces and Amphilla organisms, the characteristics of different aquatic vertebrates in toxicity investigations, and the evaluation of the feasibility of PFASs substitute applications.

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“…Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) are contaminants commonly studied not only due to their long-term persistence, long-distance transportability, and common occurrence in various environmental matrices, biotas, and human populations, but also for their possible disruptive effects on the immune, metabolic and endocrine systems of living organisms [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]. In 2009, PFOS and related compounds were listed in the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) (Annex B), an international environmental treaty, signed in 2001 and effective from May 2004, aimed at eliminating or restricting the production and use of POPs.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In 2009, PFOS and related compounds were listed in the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) (Annex B), an international environmental treaty, signed in 2001 and effective from May 2004, aimed at eliminating or restricting the production and use of POPs. In 2017, PFOA was listed in Annex A, subjecting it to global regulation [ 8 , 11 ]. In October 2019, the fifteenth meeting of the POPs review committee, in Italy, recommended the inclusion of perfluorohexyl sulfonate (PFHxS) on the list.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Toxicity of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances to Aquatic Invertebrates, Planktons, and Microorganisms

Wang

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), recognized worldwide as emerging pollutants, may pose a substantial threat to human health and our environment due to their stability, high concentrations, wide distribution, and easy accumulation. Ever since perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorooctanoic acid were recognized by the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, the public has become increasingly concerned about potential contamination and the environmental risks associated with PFASs. Ubiquitous PFAS contamination of drinking water, groundwater, surface water, and sediment has been detected, especially in areas with rapid industrial and economic development. Its accumulation in living organisms and foods has accentuated the importance of investigations into aquatic organisms at the bottom of the food chain, as the stability and integrity of the food web as well as the population quantity and structure of the aquatic ecosystem may be affected. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the toxic and toxicity-related effects of PFASs on aquatic plankton, aquatic invertebrates and microorganisms, the characteristics of different target aquatic organisms in toxicity investigations, and a feasibility evaluation of PFAS substitutes to provide valuable suggestions for further utilization and regulation of PFASs and their substitutes.

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Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in groundwater: current understandings and challenges to overcome

Cited by 16 publications

References 190 publications

PFAS: forever chemicals—persistent, bioaccumulative and mobile. Reviewing the status and the need for their phase out and remediation of contaminated sites

PFAS: forever chemicals—persistent, bioaccumulative and mobile. Reviewing the status and the need for their phase out and remediation of contaminated sites

Toxicity of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances to aquatic vertebrates

Toxicity of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances to Aquatic Invertebrates, Planktons, and Microorganisms

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