Per-and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) eternal pollutants: Sources, environmental impacts and treatment processes

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Environmental Chemistry
• Toxicology

Background:

• Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widespread synthetic chemicals.
• Their strong carbon-fluorine bonds confer resistance to degradation, leading to environmental persistence.
• PFAS contamination poses significant risks to human health and ecosystems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the environmental effects of PFAS contamination in water.
• To highlight the adverse impacts of PFAS on human health.
• To explore available techniques for PFAS degradation and separation in various water types.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of environmental effects of PFAS.
• Analysis of scientific data on PFAS impacts on human health.
• Compilation and assessment of various PFAS removal and treatment technologies.

Main Results:

• PFAS contamination in water has demonstrable adverse effects on human health.
• A variety of techniques exist for the degradation and separation of PFAS.
• Successful examples of PFAS removal from surface and groundwater are documented.

Conclusions:

• Addressing PFAS contamination requires understanding their environmental impact and health risks.
• Effective management strategies and degradation techniques are crucial for mitigating PFAS pollution.
• Further research is needed to fill knowledge gaps regarding PFAS impacts and remediation.