Citation:

Kurwadkar, S., J. Dane, S. Kanel, M. Nadagouda, R. Cawdrey, B. Ambade, G. Struckhoff, AND Rick Wilkin. Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Water and Wastewater: A Critical Review of Their Global Occurrence and Distribution. SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT. Elsevier BV, AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, 809:151003, (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151003

Impact/Purpose:

This comprehensive review provided an excellent overview of analytical methods for detecting major groups of PFAS, its fate and transport processes, and concentrations detected in various aqueous environments in multiple countries.

Description:

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a family of anthropogenic fluorinated organic compounds. Due to their unique chemical properties, widespread production, ubiquitous environmental distribution, long-term persistence, and human health effects, PFAS have been classified as persistent organic pollutants of concern. Large-scale production of PFAS began in the 1940s, and they are now routinely used in various products, including packaging, consumer goods, textiles, firefighting foams, aviation hydraulic fluid, semiconductors, pesticides, electronics, and protective non-stick coatings. Over the last several decades, significant scientific evidence has suggested the widespread occurrence of PFAS in the environment, potentially resulting in human health and ecological impacts. Many studies have documented adverse human health effects due to exposure to PFAS at low concentrations through different exposure routes. Studies have also demonstrated that PFAS are incredibly persistent and bio-accumulative. The presence of PFAS in water demonstrates a close link between the anthroposphere and the hydrologic cycle. They have been commonly detected in surface and groundwater with concentrations ranging from the nanogram to microgram per liter scale. This study aims to document the worldwide occurrence and distribution of PFAS in various environmental matrices and provide a critical review of relevant studies published in the last decade. Potential treatment technologies for the destruction and removal of PFAS are also discussed, and a regulatory perspective is provided to manage and mitigate the adverse risk to human health.

URLs/Downloads:

Record Details: